Study of the prophylactic activity of Terminalia chebula against induced gastric erosion in rabbit model

The study was designed to evaluate the prophylactic activity of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) against induced gastric erosion in rabbit model by using 80% Ethanol for induction. The experiment continued for 16 days, during which 18 rabbits were divided into three groups (6 rabbits/ group) control group, induction group and treatment group, which received normal saline orally daily, 80% ethanol as a single dose or Terminalia chebula ethanolic extract (400 mg/kg ) orally daily respectively. In the last day of the experiment, a single dose of 80% ethanol was given to the animals in group 3 which received plant prophylactically, 1 hour before animals been scarified to induce gastric erosion in it. Blood samples were collected from animals in the three groups, prior to the end of the experiment, for hematological assessment of blood glucose, blood urea, blood creatinine, alanine aminotransferase test (ALT), and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase test (GGT) and triglycerides (TG). The results showed that in the group treated with Terminalia chebula, a significant reduction in blood glucose, urea, creatinine, ALT and GGT (65.16±0.47 mg/dl, 36.16±2.98 mg/dl, 0.72±0.00 mg/dl, 57.33±0.84 IU/l, 19±3.82 IU/l) respectively was noticed in comparison to the induction group (174±0.36 mg/dl, 46±0.36 mg/dl, 0.83±0.003 mg/dl, 96±0.36 IU/l, 53 ±0.36 IU/l) and the control group (169.5±11.60 mg/dl, 52.66±5.39 mg/dl, 0.62±0.03mg/dl, 63.66±3.46 gm/dl, 26.33±5.90 mg/dl) respectively at (P< 0.05). TG were not significantly affected in the treatment group comparing to the induction and the control group. The data were analyzed by student’s t-test using SPSS (Version 10). The results were expressed as mean ± standard error (mean ± SE), P values<0.05 were considered statistically significant. The data showed a protective activity produced by T. chebula against ethanol induced gastric erosion as showed by the histopathological examination of the harvested stomach from the animals in the three groups, as the distorted superficial gland by the effect of ethanol in the mucosa were regenerated in T. chebula treated group. In conclusion, the significant improvement of the blood parameters levels in the treated animals comparing to the induction and the control group, in addition to the protective effect on tissue level suggested the possible prophylactic activity that T. chebula have in the studied gastric erosion condition.