A Structural Study of the Protective and Curative Role of Curcumin on Indomethacin Induced Gastric Ulcer in Adult Male Albino Rats: a Light and Scanning Electron Microscope study

Background: The use of medicinal plants or their active components is becoming an increasingly attractive approach for the treatment of various disorders including Peptic ulcers (a group of gastrointestinal erosions with increasing prevalence all over the world). One of these natural derivatives is Curcumin.  It proved to have a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities at both neutral and acidic pH. Hence, it can be used in treatment of peptic ulcers. Aim of the Work: The use of Curcumin for the treatment of acute and chronic ulcers still needs further investigations to validate its clinical application. So, this research was planned to clarify the role of Curcumin in both prevention and treatment of Indomethacin- induced gastric ulcer in male albino rats by using the light and scanning electron microscopes. Material and Methods: Thirty adult male albino rats were used in the present study. They were divided into 5 groups:  A control group and a group in which experimental gastric ulcer was induced using the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Indomethacin. This group was further subdivided into group (a) without protection and group (b) receiving Curcumin protection prior to Indomethacin administration. The last group was the healing group in which the rats were further subdivided into: group (a) auto-healing group and group (b) receiving Curcumin for ten days following Indomethacin administration. Results: In the experimental Indomethacin gastric ulcer induction group, acute forms of gastric ulceration were seen, destruction of the gastric mucosa and loss of mucosal cellular architecture were detected. In the group receiving protection with Curcumin, less severe forms of gastric ulceration either in size or extent were observed; decrease in mucosal congestion was also detected. These findings were analyzed statistically and proved to be significant (p<0.01). In the auto healing group, healing appeared unorganized with scar formation, while in the group receiving protection by Curcumin a more organized healing and a well-formed membrane was seen covering the ulcer area with no evidence of scarring. Some animals even showed complete healing. This healing progress was also statistically significant (p<0.05) and give an optimistic prospect in decreasing ulcer recurrence. Conclusion: Curcumin proved to play a role in both prevention and treatment of Indomethacin- induced gastric ulcer through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties