Histopathological Study of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Terminalia catappa Leaves in Treatment of Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats

[Background]Traditional medicine discussed in the literature introduced Terminalia catappa (TC) L. as an antiulcer plant.[Objectives]In this study, we investigated the activity of hydroalcoholic extract from TC leaves against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats.[Methods]Animals were divided into 13 groups, each consisting of six rats. The rats fasted for 48 hours. Various doses of Terminalia catappa leaf extract (TCLE) (100, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg), ranitidine (50 mg/kg), and normal saline (5 mL/kg) were administered orally to the assigned group of rats. Indomethacin (30 mg/kg) was administered to all six groups before treatment. Other groups received only TCLE (100, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg), ranitidine (50 mg/kg), CMC (1% solution), or indomethacin. Five hours after the drugs were administered, the animals’ stomachs were opened through the large curvature and lesions were observed. One-way ANOVA and LSD tests were used for data analysis, and the minimum significance level was P < 0.05.[Results]The results showed that all doses of TCLE and ranitidine had a significant effect (P > 0.05) against the gastric damage caused by indomethacin. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between TCLE (400 mg/kg) and ranitidine.[Conclusions]The flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, and antioxidant properties of TCLE can decrease some of the effects of an indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer.