Gastric ulcers are erosion of the gastric mucosa, which are the most prevalent
gastrointestinal disorders. Pomegranate fruits have many beneficial therapeutic effects.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are a novel approach with promising
therapeutic potential for curing human diseases.
Objective: to evaluate the effect of pomegranate and BMSCs on experimentally
induced gastric ulcer in adult male rats.
Materials and methods: Fifty four adult male rats were divided into four groups. Group I
(Control). Group II (Gastric ulcer): Rats received 100% ethanol orally by gastric tube.
Group (III) subdivided into 3 subgroups: subgroup IIIa: gastric ulcer treated with
pomegranate &subgroup IIIb: gastric ulcer treated with BMSCs& subgroup IIIc: gastric
ulcer treated with pomegranate and BMSCs. Group IV(Untreated gastric ulcer). Fundus
of stomach specimens were prepared and examined using histological and
immunohistochemical techniques.
Results: Group II &IV showed various changes as deep erosion, marked damage of
most of the cells. The presence of the inflammatory cells in gastric mucosa were
supported by a significant increase of tumor necrosis factor α ( TNF-α) expression and
collagen fibers depositions(P