<p>Effect of METC on gastric measurements.</p>

This study explores acute toxicity and gastroprotective potency of methanolic extracts of <i>Tragopogon coelesyriacus</i> (METC) in rats. Rats were aligned in 5 groups and pretreated with either normal saline, lansoprazole, or METC (200 and 400 mg/kg) before 5 mL/kg ethanol-induced gastric ulceration.

The two-week toxicity study for METC (2 and 5 g/kg) showed no physiological alterations, behavioral changes, or morbidity in rats. Pretreatment with METC (200 and 400 mg/kg) improved gastric defense factors (mucus secretion and total stomach acidity), limiting mucosal penetrations and the lesioned areas. The histopathological results showed that METC (200 and 400 mg/kg) suppressed ethanol-induced gastric tissue alterations, indicated by increased gastric protective percentages (51.02% and 65.67%), less submucosal edema, epithelial exfoliation, lower <b>mucous metaplasia, and necrotic areas.</b> METC <b>supplementation (200 and 400 mg/kg) restored the level of</b> superoxide dismutase and catalase, while reducing the MDA by 29.84% and 48.64%, respectively.