Protective effects of a standardized extract (HemoHIM) using indomethacin- and ethanol/HCl-induced gastric mucosal injury models

Abstract

<b>Context:</b> HemoHIM is a medicinal herbal preparation of <i>Angelica gigas</i> Nakai (Apiaceae), <i>Cnidium officinale</i> Makino (Umbelliferae), and <i>Paeonia japonica</i> Miyabe (Paeoniaceae) developed for immune regulation. HemoHIM has been investigated for its ability to enhance tissue self-renewal and stimulate immune systems. To date, studies on the protective effects of HemoHIM against gastritis and gastric ulcers have not been conducted. <b>Objective:</b> The protective effects of HemoHIM using models of indomethacin and ethanol/hydrochloric acid (EtOH/HCl)-induced gastric mucosal injury were investigated. <b>Materials and methods:</b> Rats were divided into five groups (<i>n</i> = 10): control, indomethacin, or EtOH/HCl groups, HemoHIM 250, 500 mg kg^-1, and cimetidine 100 mg kg^-1, respectively. Indomethacin (80 mg kg^-1) and 60% EtOH/150 mM HCl were administered orally 1 h after the administration of samples and rats were anesthetized 3 h after induction. The lesion area (%), inhibition ratio (%), and total acidity were investigated, and tissues were histopathologically analyzed using hematoxylin and-eosin (H&E) staining. <b>Results:</b> HemoHIM significantly reduced gastric injury in indomethacin-induced model (250 and 500 mg kg^-1; 64.30% and 67.75%, <i>p</i> < 0.001) compared to indomethacin group. In the EtOH/HCl-induced model, HemoHIM reduced gastric lesion (250 and 500 mg kg^-1; 61.05% and 73.37%, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and gastric acidity (250 and 500 mg kg^-1; 37.80 and 45.20 meq L^-1, <i>p <</i> 0.001) compared to EtOH/HCl group. H&E staining of the gastric mucosa showed decreased erosion and hemorrhage in HemoHIM group compared to EtOH/HCl group. <b>Discussion and conclusions:</b> Based on the results, HemoHIM is potential candidate for the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcers.