protective effects of pistacia atlantica oleoresin nanoparticles against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats

Background:pistacia atlantica is known for its extensive therapeutic applications. its oleoresin has demonstrated gastroprotective efficacy against peptic ulcers (pus). objectives: in this pioneering study, we developed nanoparticles from p. atlantica oleoresin and assessed their gastroprotective effects on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in female rats. methods: nanoparticles were prepared using ethanol and acetone via the nanoprecipitation method and were characterized using dynamic light scattering, zeta potential analysis, transmission electron microscopy (tem), and fourier-transform infrared (ft-ir) spectroscopy. the size and nanoparticle polydispersity index (npdi) were optimized using response surface methodology (rsm). forty female wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups, including a normal control (nc), an ulcer control (uc), an omeprazole (omp)-treated group (10 mg/kg), and six groups receiving oleoresin or nanoparticles at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. gastric ulcers were induced using 80% ethanol (1 ml/200 g), and ulcer severity was assessed macroscopically and microscopically one hour after induction. results: optimized nanoparticles exhibited a mean size of 173.6 nm and a pdi of 0.06, achieved at 3.18% (w/v) oleoresin concentration and a 1:14.85 aqueous/organic phase ratio. the tem confirmed spherical morphology, and ft-ir analysis indicated the presence of terpenoids. the zeta potential demonstrated high colloidal stability. macroscopic examination showed a dose-dependent reduction in ulcer index across all nanoparticle-treated groups, with the 200 mg/kg dose yielding the most significant protective effect. histological analysis supported these findings, showing marked preservation of the gastric mucosa in nanoparticle-treated groups compared to both the uc and oleoresin-treated rats. conclusions: among the tested doses, the 200 mg/kg p. atlantica oleoresin nanoparticle group showed the most significant reduction in ulcer index and histopathological damage, surpassing both the plant oleoresin and omp in protective efficacy against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers.