ANTIMICROBIAL SCREENING AND ANTI-ULCEROGENIC EFFECTS OF LEPIDIUM SATIVUM EXTRACT ON H. PYLORI INDUCED GASTRIC ULCER IN A RAT MODEL

Purpose: Helicobacter pylori (H-pylori) infection has been commonly associated with gastric ulcers. Lepidium sativum (L. Sativum) is an herbaceous edible plant, botanically related to mustard and watercress with remarkable pharmacological features. In this study, we investigate the anti-microbial and anti-oxidant effect of L. sativum seed methanolic extract in-vitro and correlate this with the gastroprotective potential of this extract against H-pylori–induced gastric ulcer in an in-vivo model. Methods: L. sativum extract was quantified for phenolic compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography, and the anti-microbial and anti-oxidant activities of the extract were evaluated in-vitro. Furthermore, an in-vivo rat model was assessed in order to explore the effect of L. sativum extract against H. pylori-induced gastric ulcer in-vitro. Results: The L. sativum extract exhibited significant antioxidant and anti-microbial activities against different pathogenic organisms. In vivo, L. sativum extract reduced the ulcer index, increased the percentage of ulcer inhibition, halted lipid peroxide and triggered anti-oxidant markers. Moreover, it suppressed inflammatory and apoptotic markers. The histopathological results for L. sativum treated rats showed the amelioration of epithelial erosion, restoration of enterocytes and an intact mucosal layer. Conclusion: The L. sativum extract exhibited antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiulcerogenic effects and exerted significant cytoprotective activity against H. pylori-induced gastric ulcers.