ISSN 2326-7267
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 3 (12), pp. 001-006, December, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Comparative effectiveness of Glycyrrhiza glabra vs. omeprazole and misoprostol for the treatment of aspirin-induced gastric ulcers
Mesut Sancar1, Thaer Hantash1, Betul Okuyan1, Sule Apikoglu-Rabus1, Zeynep Cirakli2, Mine G. Gulluoglu3 and Fikret Vehbi Izzettin1*
1Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
2Biochemistry Department, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
3Pathology Department, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Accepted 25 August, 2012
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice) root decoction vs. omeprazole and misoprostol for the treatment of aspirin-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Animals were randomly assigned first to the “prophylaxis” and “treatment” groups and then to the test and the control groups. Liquorice decoction (25 ml/kg; i.g.); omeprazole (2.3 mg/kg; i.p.) and misoprostol (50 g/kg; i.g.) were administered for 3 consecutive days 30 min before aspirin (200 mg/kg, i.g.) administration, in the prophylaxis group. In the treatment group, aspirin (200 mg/kg, i.g.) was administered for 3 consecutive days, and then other drugs were administered at the same doses as the prophylaxis group daily for 4 weeks. According to histopathologic evaluation, misoprostol showed significant protection; however, liquorice decoction and omeprazole failed to protect. In the treatment group histopathological examinations showed no significant difference among liquorice decoction, misoprostol and omeprazole regarding aspirin-induced ulcer treatment; ulcers in all treatment groups were completely cured. The results of this study suggest that Glycyrrhiza glabra can be used for the treatment of NSAID-induced ulcers as an inexpensive alternative to misoprostol and omeprazole.
Key words: Aspirin, liquorice, misoprostol, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs induced ulcers, omeprazole.