Mechanistic molecular approaches to anti-gastric ulcer effects of Maesil Fruit (Prunus mume) <i>in vivo</i>

Gastric ulcer is a global health burden that demands better intervention because of the associated complications and side effects of conventional chemical synthetics. Hence, the present work was geared to explore the gastroprotective, mucoprotective, and acute toxicity effects of P. mume fruit extract (PMFE) in ethanol-mediated gastropathy in rats, focusing on the apoptotic proteins, antioxidants [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathion peroxidase (GPx)], and the aggravating factors (malondialdehyde), as well as histopathological changes. Rats were randomly divided into five cages and were pre-treated either with distilled water, omeprazole (20 mg/kg), or 250, 500 mg/kg of PMFE. After one hour, rats received ethanol-mediated gastropathy. Based on biochemical and histological indications, PMFE supplementation up to 5 g/kg was found to be safe. PMFE (250 and 500 mg/kg) pre-treatment showed significant gastroprotective potential, indicated by increased ulcer inhibition percentages (66.75 and 74.63%, respectively), lower hemorrhagic, mucosal lesions, submucosal penetrations, and lower gastric pH/total stomach acidity. Pre-treated PMFE (250 and 500 mg/kg)-rats exhibited improved gastric defense factors (increasing mucin secretion (1.12 and 1.38 g), higher endogenous antioxidants including GPx, 27.58, 42.10 pg/ml; catalase, 34.57, 44.02 nmol/min/mg, and superoxide dismutase, 11.82 and 14.08 U/mg, respectively. The anti-apoptotic effects of PMFE were confirmed by increased Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) and reduced Bax proteins in gastric tissues. Moreover, inflammatory-mediated ethanol gastropathy was down-regulated in PMFE-pre-treated rats, indicated by lower serum (Tumor necrosis factor-α) and interleukin-6 and higher IL-10 contents. This study concludes that PMFE is well tolerated by rats, ameliorates gastric ulcers, and could be considered for integration into the biopharmaceutical/nutraceutical formulation for managing stomach disorders.