Tragopogon coelesyriacus Boiss. attenuates ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in vivo: modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis

Tragopogon coelesyriacus is a traditional herbal medicine used for gastrointestinal disorders, mediated by its phytoconstituents. This study explores acute toxicity and gastroprotective potency of methanolic extracts of Tragopogon coelesyriacus (METC) in rats. Rats were aligned in 5 groups and pretreated with either normal saline, lansoprazole, or METC (200 and 400 mg/kg) before 5 mL/kg ethanol-induced gastric ulceration. The two-week toxicity study for METC (2 and 5 g/kg) showed no physiological alterations, behavioral changes, or morbidity in rats. Pretreatment with METC (200 and 400 mg/kg) improved gastric defense factors (mucus secretion and total stomach acidity), limiting mucosal penetrations and the lesioned areas. The histopathological results showed that METC (200 and 400 mg/kg) suppressed ethanol-induced gastric tissue alterations, indicated by increased gastric protective percentages (51.02% and 65.67%), less submucosal edema, epithelial exfoliation, lower mucous metaplasia, and necrotic areas. METC supplementation (200 and 400 mg/kg) restored the level of superoxide dismutase and catalase, while reducing the MDA by 29.84% and 48.64%, respectively. This was parallel with the anti-inflammatory effects of METC (200 and 400 mg/kg), decreasing TNF-α by 34.59%, 47.36%; IL-6 by 24.95%, 30.32%, and increasing IL-10 by 73.94%, 179.92%, respectively, relative to ulcer controls. Additionally, METC (200 and 400 mg/kg) remarkably modulated apoptotic proteins, lowering Bax by 31.10% and 45.50%, and increasing HSP 70 by 28.12 and 65.5%, respectively. The outcomes highlight the significant gastroprotective potential of Tragopogon coelesyriacus , which was mainly associated with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptosis properties, making it a viable source for gastric ulcer management.