Epiphytic orchids alleviate ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in the Long-Evan rats via regulating antioxidant enzyme levels

The beneficial effects of orchids as a medicinal plant have been highlighted in a number of widely used medical practices. The current study has deciphered the gastro-protective effects of Acampe ochracea methanol extract (AOCE), Aerides odorata methanol extract (AOE), Cymbidium aloifolium methanol extract (CAE), and Papilionanthe teres methanol extract (PTE) in ethanol-induced ulcer. Long-Evan rats fasted; different treatment groups were administered the samples as mentioned earlier (250 and 500 mg/kg) orally; distilled water and esomeprazole (20 mg/kg p.o., b.w.) were used as normal control and standard drugs; thereafter, they received 0.5 mL of an 80 % (v/v) ethanol solution an hour later. By suppressing ulceration of the mucosal layer and altering the biochemical features of gastric juice, including the levels of carbohydrate, protein, and pepsin, the findings showed that therapy with treatments (500 mg/kg) remarkably (p < 0.001) modulated the ulcer and protected the integrity of gastric mucosa. Furthermore, treatments notably (p < 0.001, and p < 0.01) elevated the levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) and markedly (p < 0.001, and p < 0.01) decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Moreover, protecting the normal architecture of the stomach section from EtOH toxicity, the treatments unveiled notable protection from disruption of the membrane of epithelial cells and limited edema in the submucosal layer. Hence, the outcome of the investigation deciphered that the following orchids: A. ochracea, A. odorata, C. aloifolium, and P. teres might be therapeutic candidates for managing peptic ulcer disorders (PUD). [Display omitted] •Four orchid varieties were investigated for antiulcer effects.•Orchid extracts prevented ethanol-induced alcoholic ulcer generation.•Antioxidant enzymes CAT, SOD and GSH upregulated in the experimental model.•Protein and pepsin contents reflected the ulceration in the gastric mucosal layer.•Limited edema in the submucosal layer showed improvement by histopathological assay.