The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) as an anti-ulcer agent following
ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Thirty adult Sprague Dawley rats aged 8 weeks and weighed 250 ± 50 g were divided into 5
treatment groups with 6 rats in each group. All group rats were pre-treated with 0.9 % normal saline (Group 1), 200 mg / kg
omeprazole (Group 2), 100 mg / kg EPO (Group 3), 500 mg / kg EPO (Group 4) and 1000 mg / kg EPO (Group 5). One hour after
the pre-treatment, absolute ethanol (99.7%) was injected to induce gastric ulcer in all rats. All rats were culled and macroscopic
examination was done on the stomach 1-hour post-ethanol injection. The stomach was weighed, examined using a magnifying
glass and scoring of ulcer was given. There was no significant difference in the relative organ weight (ROW) of stomach observed
in all group rats. Group 1 (0.9% normal saline) rats had the highest ulcer score with presence of ulcers and hemorrhagic streak
which was not evidenced in all other group rats. This indicates the successful induction of gastric ulcer in the negative control
group (Group 1). Group 2 (200 mg / kg omeprazole) and Group 5 (1000 mg / kg EPO) rats showed the lowest in the ulcer score
indicating their anti-ulcer and protective effects against ulcer. This was also evidenced in all macroscopic examination. Group 2
(200 mg / kg omeprazole) and Group 5 (500 mg / kg EPO) rats also had the lowest ulcer index (risk of ulceration) and the highest
percentage ulcer protection amongst all group rats. This indicates that EPO treatment at high dose (1000 mg / kg) is comparable to
the standard treatment for gastric ulcer (omeprazole). In conclusion, this study shows that EPO treatment at high dose could reduce
the risk of gastric ulcer if taken as a pre-treatment alternative medication and that EPO at high dose could be an alternative to the
standard treatment used in the gastric ulceration. Further study has to be undertaken to evaluate the potential of EPO at high dose
as anti-ulcer supplement.
Key words: Evening primrose oil, gastric ulcer, peptic ulcer, ethanol-induced ulcer, anti-ulcer effects, protective effects against
ulcer
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