In vivo effect of Piper sarmentosum methanolic extract on stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats

INTRODUCTION: Piper sarmentosum (Piperaceae) is traditionally used by Asians to treat numerous common ailments including asthma, fever and gastritis. The aim of the research was to determine and compare the effects of Piper sarmentosum (PS) with omeprazole (OMZ) on gastric parameters in rats exposed to restraint stress. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The methanolic extract of PS was prepared in the dose of 500 mg/kg. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were assigned to 4 equal sized groups: two control groups and two treated groups which were supplemented with either PS or OMZ orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg body weight respectively. After 28 days of treatment, one control group, the PS and OMZ group were subjected to a single exposure of water-immersion restraint stress for 3.5 h. After the last exposure to stress, the stomach was excised for evaluation of the parameters. RESULTS: Oral supplementation of PS was as effective in preventing the formation of gastric lesion when compared with OMZ (p < 0.05). The increased gastric acidity and MDA due to stress was also reduced with supplementation of PS and OMZ. Only PS had the ability to reduce prostaglandin E(2) loss (p = 0.0067) and have the ability to down regulate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA expression (p = 0.01) with stress exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Piper sarmentosum possesses a similar protective effect against stress-induced gastric lesions as omeprazole. The protective effect was associated with decreased lipid peroxidation, increased prostaglandin E(2), reduction in gastric acidity and reduction in COX-2 mRNA expression which was altered by stress.