Gastroprotective effect of Zinnia elegans extracts against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage through downregulation of TLR4 and inflammatory cytokines [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background: One of the most common gastrointestinal diseases is gastric ulcer (GU). The ethanolic extract from the aerial part of Zinnia elegans was created to test its ability to protect the gastric mucosa from damage caused by ethanol in mice. Method: Zinnia elegans ethanolic extract was administrated intragastrically once daily for three days. After the final intragastric dose, gastric ulcer in mice was created on the third day using 70% ethanol. The stomach tissues were extracted to assess the severity of the gastric mucosal changes. Results: Orally administered Zinnia elegans ethanolic extract reduced the severity of stomach mucosal changes. In addition, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1B (IL-1β), and tool-like receptor (TLR4) activity in stomach tissues were all dramatically reduced after oral administration of the extract. These findings demonstrate that the anti-inflammatory properties of Zinnia elegans ethanolic extract protect against ethanol-induced stomach mucosal damage in mice. Conclusions: The results of this investigation offer some support for the creation of new treatments for stomach ulcers as an alternative to treating gastric damage brought on by alcohol consumption.