Effect of Zinc Nanoparticles of Aqueous Extract of Matricaria chamomilla on the Prevention of Gastric Ulcer Caused by Alcohol

Background: many people in the world suffer from gastroduodenal ulcers, therefore, studying the therapeutic strategies of these ulcers are considered as the research priorities in any country. the aim of this study was to survey the preventive property of zinc nanoparticles of matricaria chamomilla on ethanolinduced gastroduodenal ulcers in rats. methods: in this study, 30 adult females rats were divided into 5 groups, randomly: negative healthy control receiving distilled water, untreated negative control receiving distilled water, positive control receiving omeprazole 60 mg/kg, one group receiving the aqueous extract of m. chamomilla at 200 mg/kg concentrations, and another group receiving the zinc nanoparticles of aqueous extract m. chamomilla at 0.5mg/kg concentrations. after 14 days, gastroduodenal ulcers were caused by ethanol. four hours after oral administration of ethanol, the stomach, and duodenum samples of the rats were dissected. malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase activity, and prevention index were measured and histopathological studies were performed. results: the zinc nanoparticles of aqueous extract m. chamomilla could significantly decrease the raised levels of mda and inu and enhance sod and iu as compared to other groups. also, the zinc nanoparticles of aqueous extract prevented significantly small, medium, and large gastroduodenal ulcers as compared to other groups. conclusion: it seems that the zinc nanoparticles of aqueous extract m. chamomilla can prevent gastroduodenal ulcers in rats without any side effect.