Phytochemical profiling via GC-MS and antiulcerogenic potential of root essential oil from Algerian Pulicaria odora L. against ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcer in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Pulicaria odora (L.) Rchb. is a fragrant medicinal plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, traditionally used in Algerian herbal medicine to treat ulcers and inflammation.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To characterize the phytochemical profile of Pulicaria odora L. root essential oil (PREO), and to study its anti-ulcerogenic activity while exploring the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The phytochemical profile of PREO was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The anti-ulcerogenic activity of PREO was evaluated in vivo in ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcer model by testing doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg. Anti-ulcerogenic effects were assessed at morphological, biochemical, and histopathological levels.

RESULTS

GC-MS profile of PREO revealed 20 compounds with predominance of oxygenated monoterpenoids class. Pretreatment with PREO significantly decreased the ulcer index (UI), the total acidity and gastric secretion volume, while increasing gastric pH. Furthermore, PREO enhanced the antioxidant defense system, leading to increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, restoration of glutathione (GSH) concentrations, and reduced lipid peroxidation decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in gastric tissue. Similarly, PREO modulated inflammatory responses by downregulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and restoring interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in gastric tissue. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses showed that PREO preserved the ultrastructure of the mucosa, reduced histopathological lesions and attenuated edema and leukocyte infiltration in the submucosa.

CONCLUSION

PREO (150 and 300 mg/kg) exerts a significant dose dependent antiulcerogenic effect, likely mediated through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antisecretory mechanisms associated with its identified phytoconstituents.