Antiulcer Potential of a Standardized Extract of Red Orange Juice in the Rat

Abstract

A standardized red orange extract (Red Orange Complex, ROC) has been evaluated for its potential protective effect on ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric lesions in rats. Oral administration of the ROC significantly prevented the development of gastric lesions in these experimental models. In addition, the effect of the ROC on the spontaneous healing of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) ulcers in rats was examined. The spontaneous healing of gastric ulcer was significantly accelerated by repeated administration of the ROC. The histological condition of the mucosa, examined by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), confirmed the in vivo data. The results, on the whole, indicate that the ROC possesses favourable antiulcer and cytoprotective properties in rat.

This study was performed according to the international principles for laboratory animal use and care (EEC Directive of 1986; 86/609/EEC).

Keywords:

• Red orange complex (ROC)
• Antiulcer activity
• Scanning electronic microscopy
• Rat

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are thankful to Enrico and Enrica Sovena Fondation for financial support of part of this work. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the contribution of Rossana Di Mario for her care and attention in animal maintenance.