title: Ulcer healing activity of Mumijo aqueous extract against acetic acid induced gastric ulcer in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gastric ulcer is an important clinical problem, chiefly due to extensive use of some drugs. The aim was to assess the activity of Mumijo extract (which is used in traditional medicine) against acetic acid induced gastric ulcer in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aqueous extract of Mumijo was prepared. Animals were randomly (n = 10) divided into four groups: Control, sham-operated group (received 0.2 ml of acetic acid to induce gastric ulcer), Mumijo (100 mg/kg/daily) were given for 4 days postacetic acid administration, and ranitidine group (20 mg/kg). The assessed parameters were pH and pepsin levels (by Anson method) of gastric contents and gastric histopathology. Ranitidine was used as reference anti-ulcer drug.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract (100 mg/kg/daily, p.o.) inhibited acid acetic-induced gastric ulceration by elevating its pH versus sham group (P < 0.01) and decreasing the pepsin levels compared to standard drug, ranitidine (P < 0.05). The histopathology data showed that the treatment with Mumijo extract had a significant protection against all mucosal damages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mumijo extract has potent antiulcer activity. Its anti-ulcer property probably acts via a reduction in gastric acid secretion and pepsin levels. The obtained results support the use of this herbal material in folk medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shahrokhi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.
authors.forename: Zakieh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Keshavarzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khaksari
keywords: Acetic acid; Mumijo; gastric acidity; pepsin; ulcer