Macro and Microscopic Gastroprotective Effects of Grape Seed Extract on the Gastric Ulcer Experimentally Induced by Alcohol

Alcohol administration has been widely correlated with gastric injuries involving gastric ulcers. Grape seed extract (GSE) is a rich source of phenolics and flavonoids with marked antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics that might give it a potential impact on the gastric ulcer. Polyphenolics are naturally occurring antioxidants that protect our bodies from ROS damage and their intake has probable health advantages involving protection from many ailments. Thus, this study intended to illustrate the probable protective actions of grape seed extract against alcohol induced gastric ulcers in rats. The total phenolics and the total flavonoids content in grape seed extract have been quantified. The total phenolic content was found to be 284.11±0.01 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per g of grape seed extract. Meanwhile, the total flavonoid content was 8.02±0.08 mg of quercetin equivalent (QE)/g extract. Pretreatment with grape seed extract (100 mg kg-1 p.o.) reduced the serious effect of alcohol gastric mucosal damage as illustrated by decreasing the size of macroscopic lesions and alleviating the histopathologic aberrations. These studies were similar to those applied by the standard antiulcer omeprazole. These results could be ascribed to the antioxidant action of grape seed extract as it notably restored the gastric catalase level to the normal range. These outcomes highlight the protection effects of grape seed extract on the gastric ulcer induced by alcohol.