Histological study of the therapeutic effect of valerian extract alone or in combination with co-enzyme Q10 on experimentally induced gastric ulcers in adult albino rats: a light and scanning electron microscopic study.

Gastric ulcer, affecting 10% of the global population, can lead to severe complications as perforation, bleeding, and fatal outcomes. Valerian extract and coenzyme Q10 show a potential as therapeutic agents that decrease inflammation and protect against oxidative damage. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of the co-administration of valerian extract and coenzyme Q10 versus the administration of each of them alone in ameliorating experimentally induced gastric ulcer. Rats were randomly assigned into the following groups: the control, the ulcer-induced, the treated groups: valerian extract, coenzyme Q10, and both treatments, all administered orally one hour after orally ingestion of ethanol, and finally untreated group. After the rats were sacrificed, their stomachs were analyzed macroscopically, histologically, and immunohistochemically. The ulcer-induced group demonstrated severe gastric damage with hyperemia and brownish hemorrhagic spots macroscopically, along with various histological changes, including deep gastric ulcers and multiple erosions. There was complete destruction of the fundic glands and their lining cells, areas of hemorrhage, loss of mucopolysaccharide content, and fibrosis which were confirmed by morphometrical studies. Scanning electron microscopy revealed wide ulcers and complete shedding of surface mucous epithelial cells. Valerian extract and coenzyme Q10 groups showed partial improvement with an increased rate of proliferation detected by immunohistochemical study. The combination of both drugs provided restoration of the gastric mucosa to a nearly control-like appearance. Combined treatment with valerian and Coenzyme Q10 was more effective than either alone in restoring the mucous barrier, regenerating epithelial cells, and reducing inflammation.