Protective Effect of Aqueous Centella asiatica Extract on Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury

Abstract

Background: Gastric ulcer disease is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of gastric mucosal defense mechanisms. Ethanol-induced gastric injury is a widely used experimental model for evaluating gastroprotective agents. Centella asiatica is a medicinal plant rich in bioactive phytochemicals, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, and triterpenoids, which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.This study evaluated the gastroprotective effect of aqueous C.asiatica extract against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Materials and Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n=6): ulcer control, omeprazole-treated group (20 mg/kg), and three groups pretreated orally with aqueous C.asiatica extract at doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening of the extract was performed using standard methods. Gastric ulceration was induced using absolute ethanol (5 mL/kg). Gastric pH, mucus weight, ulcer area, and ulcer inhibition percentage were evaluated. Histopathological examination and quantitative real-time PCR analysis of Nrf2 and HO-1 expression were also performed. Results: Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, and triterpenoids in the aqueous C.asiatica extract. Pretreatment with the extract significantly reduced ethanol-induced gastric injury in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). Treated rats showed increased gastric pH and mucus weight with reduced ulcer area compared with the ulcer control group. The 600 mg/kg dose produced the highest ulcer inhibition (98.88%) and preserved gastric mucosal architecture with minimal epithelial disruption, edema, and inflammatory-cell infiltration. In addition, the extract significantly upregulated Nrf2 and HO-1 expression levels. Conclusion: Aqueous C.asiatica extract demonstrated significant gastroprotective activity against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats, possibly through enhancement of mucosal defense mechanisms and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway. The observed protective effects may be attributed to the phytochemical constituents present in the extract, supporting the potential therapeutic value of C.asiatica in gastric ulcer prevention.