Therapeutic potential of essential oil of Melaleuca quinquenervia (Myrtaceae) in a rat model of ethanol-induced peptic ulcer

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of M. quinquenervia extract on ethanol-induced peptic ulcer in rats. Methods: The following three groups of (n = 6) Sprague Dawley rats were included in this study: vehicle (C), ethanol-administered (E) and ethanol + M. quinquenervia-treated (MQ). MQ group rats received 100 μg/mL M. quinquenervia essential oil just before 96 % ethanol induction (1 ml/kg). One hour after ulcer induction, the animals were euthanized, and gastric and duodenal tissues were removed. Tissue samples were analysed for myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and histopathological examinations were performed by light microscopy. Results: Gastric and duodenal GSH levels that decreased in the ethanol-administered ulcer groups (p < 0.001), rose following MQ treatment (p < 0.5). Moreover, elevated MPO and MDA levels (p < 0.5) in gastric tissues decreased after MQ-treatment. Similarly, the MQ-treated group showed recovery and control-like morphology compared to the ethanol group in both gastric and duodenal tissues when examined by microscopy. Conclusion: The results indicate that M. quinquenervia extract has a positive impact on gastric injury in rats due to its antioxidant activity. Thus, the plant has a potential for the clinical management of gastric ulcer