Exploring the Gastroprotective and Antioxidant Potential of Ocimum americanum Leaves Extract in an Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcer Model

Stomach ulcers have become more common recently, mostly as a result of the usage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines. Thus, current work examined Ocimum americanum antiulcer effectiveness on acute stomach mucosal hemorrhagic lesions caused by ethanol-induced ulcers. Six groups of Swiss albino mice were selected at random: three experimental, normal control, ulcer control, and standard groups. Oral feeding of the normal control groups used a 10 ml/kg vehicle. The standard group was given 40 mg/kg pantoprazole. Ocimum americanum leaves extract (OALE) at 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg was given to the groups being studied. Except for the first group, all groups received an oral treatment of 1 ml of ethanol solution for gastric-ulcer production after an hour. All of the mice were killed after one hour. The ulcer control group had significant superficial hemorrhagic lesions of the stomach mucosa and a reduction in the pH of the stomach contents and gastric mucus production. The OALE considerably lowered the number of ulcers, as shown by the elevated stomach pH and mucus production, the area of the ulcer reduced or not edema, and the infiltration of leucocytes into the subcutaneous layer. OALE substantially raised the amount of nitric oxide (NO) and reduced the stomach mucosal homogenate's concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA). OALE acute toxicity in mice did not show any toxicological symptoms 400 mg/kg as a dose, and it may strengthen defenses against stomach mucosal lesions. Because of its antioxidant and mucoprotective qualities, OALE demonstrated gastro-protective benefits.