Emuesiri Goodies Moke1 
,
Emuesiri Kohworho Umukoro2,
Ehriori Akponah2,
Paul Chinwuba3,
Winifred Eseoghene Demaki1
For correspondence:- Emuesiri Moke Email: hiligoodies@gmail.com Tel:+234-7061040692
Received: 20 July 2025 Accepted: 13 December 2025 Published: 29 December 2025
Citation: Moke EG, Umukoro EK, Akponah E, Chinwuba P, Demaki WE. Gastro-protective activities of misoprostol and omeprazole on aspirin-induced gastric ulceration in rat model. Trop J Pharm Res 2025; 24(12):1501-1507 doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v24i12.5
© 2025 The authors.
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Purpose: To evaluate the gastroprotective effects of misoprostol and omeprazole co-administration on aspirin-induced gastric ulceration in Wistar rats. Method: Gastric ulcers were induced in Wistar albino rats by oral administration of aspirin (200 mg/kg) once daily for six consecutive days. Animals were divided into five groups of five rats each: normal control, aspirin control, and three treatment groups receiving misoprostol (2 mg/kg), omeprazole (20 mg/kg), and a combination of both drugs, respectively, at the same doses. All treatments were given orally once daily, simultaneously for six days. Ulcer index, pH levels, antioxidant indices, and histological changes were assessed 24 hours after the last treatment, following sacrifice. Result: Aspirin administration significantly (p < 0.05) decreased pH and increased the ulcer index in rats. Treatment with misoprostol and omeprazole significantly (p < 0.05) improved acidity levels and inhibited ulceration, with combination therapy showing the best protection. Aspirin-induced ulceration is associated with increased lipid peroxidation and reduced superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. All treatments significantly (p < 0.05) improved the antioxidant parameters, with omeprazole alone exhibiting the most potent antioxidant activity. Histological examination revealed significant changes in the gastric histoarchitecture of the aspirin-treated rats, including vascular congestion, degenerated epithelial mucosa, and inflammatory cell infiltration. These changes were significantly reduced in the misoprostol- and omeprazole-treated groups, although much more significant with the combination group. Conclusion: Misoprostol and omeprazole have demonstrated significant gastroprotective effects against aspirin-induced gastric ulceration in Wistar rats, with combination therapy showing the most promising results. These findings support the use of these drugs, particularly in combination, to prevent and treat NSAID-associated gastric damage.
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