Protective effects of a standardized extract (HemoHIM) using indomethacin- and ethanol/HCl-induced gastric mucosal injury models

Context: HemoHIM is a medicinal herbal preparation of Angelica gigas Nakai (Apiaceae), Cnidium officinale Makino (Umbelliferae), and Paeonia japonica Miyabe (Paeoniaceae) developed for immune regulation. HemoHIM has been investigated for its ability to enhance tissue self-renewal and stimulate immune systems. To date, studies on the protective effects of HemoHIM against gastritis and gastric ulcers have not been conducted. Objective: The protective effects of HemoHIM using models of indomethacin and ethanol/hydrochloric acid (EtOH/HCl)-induced gastric mucosal injury were investigated. Materials and methods: Rats were divided into five groups (n = 10): control, indomethacin, or EtOH/HCl groups, HemoHIM 250, 500 mg kg(−1), and cimetidine 100 mg kg(−1), respectively. Indomethacin (80 mg kg(−1)) and 60% EtOH/150 mM HCl were administered orally 1 h after the administration of samples and rats were anesthetized 3 h after induction. The lesion area (%), inhibition ratio (%), and total acidity were investigated, and tissues were histopathologically analyzed using hematoxylin and-eosin (H&E) staining. Results: HemoHIM significantly reduced gastric injury in indomethacin-induced model (250 and 500 mg kg(−1); 64.30% and 67.75%, p < 0.001) compared to indomethacin group. In the EtOH/HCl-induced model, HemoHIM reduced gastric lesion (250 and 500 mg kg(−1); 61.05% and 73.37%, p < 0.001) and gastric acidity (250 and 500 mg kg(−1); 37.80 and 45.20 meq L(−1), p < 0.001) compared to EtOH/HCl group. H&E staining of the gastric mucosa showed decreased erosion and hemorrhage in HemoHIM group compared to EtOH/HCl group. Discussion and conclusions: Based on the results, HemoHIM is potential candidate for the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcers.