Hyphaene thebaica Mart. Extract Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Bax- and Bcl-2-Mediated Apoptosis in Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats

Objectives: Hyphaene thebaica Mart. (locally known as Doum) is a well-known tropical plant and is traditionally used for the treatment of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) ulcers. The current study aimed to investigate the antioxidative and gastroprotective properties of H. thebaica fruit rind extract against experimentally ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in Sprague-Dawley rats. Materials and Methods: Two experiments were carried out: first, with 20 animals for dose selection and safety of the extract; then, a second with 30 animals for the gastric ulcer model. The two selected doses of H. thebaica extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) and antiulcer drug (omeprazole: 20 mg/kg) were administered through oral gavage for 2 weeks prior to ulcer induction. Acidity, mucus weight, ulcer area, and histopathology were used to assess the gastroprotective effects of H. thebaica extract. The antioxidative properties were assessed using the lipid peroxidation assay, non-protein thiol levels, superoxide dismutase activity, nitric oxide assay, and immunohistochemical staining of mitochondria-regulated apoptosis proteins such as Bax and Bcl-2. Results: In the current study, no in vivo toxicity of H. thebaica extract was observed. In the gastric model, preadministration of H. thebaica resulted in a significant reduction in ulcer area and mucus weight in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, gross and histological findings confirmed the gastroprotective properties of H. thebaica extract. Quantitative assessment of microscopic lesions revealed a significant difference between the groups. These properties were observed to be mediated through the modulation of oxidative stress. H. thebaica modulated the Bcl-2 and Bax proteins and inhibited apoptosis. Conclusion: The gastroprotective properties of H. thebaica nominate it as a potential nutraceutical candidate.