Abstract

Background: Tri-Tharn-Thip, a traditional Thai medicine, is a herbal formula used to promote milk production, wound healing, and gastric ulcer. However, no previous studies have reported its anti-gastric ulcer activity. This study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective effects of Tri-Tharn-Thip tea (Tri-TTa) and explore its potential mechanisms of action by measuring the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH), mucin, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Methods: For this purpose, 24 Wistars rats were divided into four groups. Group I, sham group, received distilled water; Group II, vehicle control group, received distilled water; Group III, positive control group, received omeprazole (20 mg/kg/d); and Group IV, Tri-TTa group, received Tri-TTa (500 mg/kg/d). The treatment protocol lasted 7 d, and all groups except for the sham group received 80 % ethanol on the last day, 4 h before scarification. The gastric tissue was removed; the ulcer area, ulcer score, and pH values were evaluated; and a histopathological examination of the gastric tissue was conducted. ROS, MDA, iNOS, SOD, CAT, and GSH levels were determined using ELISA. Results: Pretreatment with 500 mg/kg Tri-TTa significantly reduced the gastric ulcer area and ROS, MDA, and iNOS levels in rats with ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. Tri-TTa increased the levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH in gastric tissues. Tri-TTa administration also significantly increased mucin content. Conclusion: Tri-TTa exhibited gastroprotective properties that could be linked to decreased oxidative stress markers and elevated antioxidant enzyme levels.