The extract of Illicium verum L. "star anise" reduces gastric lesions caused by ethanol: a study in rats

Abstract

Gastrointestinal diseases are increasing every day throughout the world due to many exogenous and endogenous factors. The objective of this research was to evaluate the antiulcer effect of Illicium verum L. "star anise" against digestive damage in rats promoted by ethanol. The rats were randomized into 4 pools of 10 rats each. The pools were compared with ranitidine at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The gastric injury was induced by ethanol. The ulcer damage was perceived 4 hours after having induced the treatments. All injury was found in the region of the body and anthropyloric stomach of the animal. The results showed that the application of a dose of star anise extract plus ethanol obtained an 80.5% (p < 0.05) reduction of gastric lesions; while using a dose of ranitidine plus ethanol, a 60.01% reduction in damage was achieved. In our laboratory conditions, the application of a 500 mg/kg dose of star anise in rats demonstrated a positive effect.