Protective Effect of Bergamot (Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle) Extract on Acute Alcoholic Gastric Ulcer

This study investigates the protective effects of bergamot (Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle) extract on acute alcoholic gastric ulcers in mice model. The extract was analyzed for its chemical composition, total phenol and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activities using DPPH and ABTS assays. Acute gastric ulcers were induced in mice with anhydrous ethanol, and the protective effects of the extract were evaluated by assessing gastric tissue morphology, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β). LC-MS analysis revealed 674 components in the extract, including flavonoids, saponins, and other bioactive compounds. Quantification analysis of individual phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, hesperidin, rutin, neohesperidin, naringin, eriocitrin, limettin, narirutin, oxypeucedanin, and narcissoside showed a total amount of 1451 mg/kg. The total phenol content was 4.74±0.24% DW (dry weight), and the total flavonoid content was 0.64±0.04% DW. The extract showed good antioxidant activity, with DPPH and ABTS IC 50 values of 287.65±5.38 μg mL -1 and 326.31±10.89 μg mL -1 respectively. Treatment with bergamot extract significantly decreased the gastric ulcer index, increased the ulcer inhibition rate, reduced MDA levels, and increased SOD activity, improving gastric mucosal injury. Furthermore, inflammatory markers TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were significantly reduced ( p < 0.01). These findings suggest that bergamot extract may offer effective protection against alcohol-induced gastric injury.