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Extracts of grapefruit heals stomach ulcers

by Medindia Content Team on May 20 2005 12:31 PM

Scientists have confirmed that extracts of the grapefruit seeds contain antioxidants that help to heal stomach ulcers.

As a fruit, grapefruit had been associated with acidity and gastrointestinal irritation, the fruit actually posses healthy and helpful ingredients that have healing properties. Researchers from Poland, who had researched on the subject and presented their study findings at the Digestive Disease Week meeting, have examined the beneficial effects of grapefruit seed extracts on preexisting gastric ulcers.

Investigators of the study had induced gastric ulcer in rats, and applied graded doses of grapefruit seed extract to measure levels of gastric secretion. Unusual levels of gastric secretions are one of the major causes of gastric ulcers. Using a combination of acetic acid with or without a COX-1 inhibitor and a COX-2 inhibitor the researchers did the test for ulcer healing.

Rats who were given 10mg/kg of grapefruit seed extract had a 50% reduction of gastric acid secretion and a continuous decrease in the gastric ulcers in about a week of treatment. The treatment also increased the amount of blood flow to the site of the gastric ulcers. Researchers are of the opinion that the combined effect of grapefruit seed extracts, COX-1 and COX-2 activities, and their effects on gastric acid and gastric blood flow help in the healing of gastric ulcers.

Reference: Digestive Disease Week, Press release, May 2005


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