Management of Citrus sinensis peels for protection and treatment against gastric ulcer induced by ethanol in rats.

Introduction: Stomach ulcer is one of the most prevalent disorders worldwide. The study was aimed to isolate and characterize the major polymethoxylated flavonoids in Citrus sinensis peels petroleum ether extract and investigate its protective and curative effect on gastric ulcer. Material and methods: Some spectral analyses were used for identification of the isolated compounds from the petroleum ether extract of Citrus sinensis peels. One oral dose (0.5 ml/100 g b.wt.) of ethanol was orally given to rats after starvation for 24 hours to induce gastric ulcer. To explore the protective and curative role of plant extract, it was orally (250 mg/kg b.wt.) given for one week either before or post ulcer induction. A reference drug; ranitidine (100 mg/kg b.wt.); was also evaluated. Plant extract was orally given for one week either before or post ulcer induction. Stomach acidity, volume, lesion counts, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acid phosphatase (AP), interlukin-10 (IL-10) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were estimated. Stomach histopathological features were monitored. Results: Nine polymethoxy flavonoids were identified from the extract. Treatment with C. sinensis peels extract recorded amelioration in all parameters. Conclusion: C. sinensis petroleum ether peels extract had protective and curative effects against gastric ulcer. Therefore, the extract recorded anti-secretory, anti-ulcerative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Its healing action exceeded its protective role due to its richness in polymethoxylated flavonoids.