Gastrointestinal Disorders · Published 2026-06-20 · DOI 10.3390/gidisord8020029
Venos Saeed Abdullah, Kamaran Younis M. Amin, Hawraz Ibrahim M. Amin
Background/Objectives: <i>Tordylium trachycarpum</i> Boiss. (Apiaceae) is traditionally used in Kurdish ethnomedicine for the management of gastrointestinal disorders; however, its pharmacological efficacy and safety profile remain insufficiently investigated. This study evaluated, for the first time, the gastroprotective activity and associated antioxidant, inflammatory, and apoptotic responses of the methanolic extract of <i>T. trachycarpum</i> using an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in Sprague–Dawley rats. Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, coumarins, and glycosides. Acute oral toxicity testing demonstrated no signs of toxicity at doses up to 5 g/kg. Gastric ulceration was induced by absolute ethanol, and animals were pretreated with the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) or omeprazole (20 mg/kg). Results: The extract significantly decreased the gastric lesion area from 258.50 ± 6.38 mm<sup>2</sup> in the ulcer control group to 143.70 ± 0.76 mm<sup>2</sup> and 115.50 ± 0.76 mm<sup>2</sup>, corresponding to ulcer inhibition rates of 44.41% and 55.31%. Additionally, the extract increased mucus production, maintained mucosal structure, and raised stomach pH. Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] and a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating attenuation of oxidative stress. In addition, the extract modulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10). Blood-based ELISA analysis demonstrated increased expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and reduced Bax levels, suggesting anti-apoptotic activity. Conclusions: These findings indicate that <i>T. trachycarpum</i> exerts significant gastroprotective activity through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms, supporting its traditional use and highlighting its potential as a natural therapeutic candidate for the management of gastric ulcers.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Abdullah, V., Amin, K., Amin, H. (2026). Gastroprotective Effects of Tordylium trachycarpum Extract Against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Injury: Involvement of Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms. Gastrointestinal Disorders. https://doi.org/10.3390/gidisord8020029