04/08/2022
Gastric (or stomach) ulcers are common in modern society and caused by a variety of factors including H. pylori infection, NSAIDs, psychological stress, heavy alcohol consumption, and smoking. Evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays a significant role in the damage of the stomach lining.
The protective effect of myrtle CT myrtenyl acetate essential oil was evaluated in a preclinical model of ulcers caused by ethanol/hydrogen chloride. Subjects were divided into six groups: 1) normal control, 2) ulcer control, 3) 250 mg/kg body weight myrtle oil, 4) 500 mg/kg BW myrtle oil, 5) 1,000 mg/kg BW myrtle oil, and 6) famotidine (brand name Pepcid—a stomach acid lowering medication used to treat ulcers and GERD). Oral administration of microencapsulated myrtle essential oil before exposure to ethanol/hydrogen chloride significantly protected against gastric ulcers, with the 500 and 1,000 mg dosage groups performing better than famotidine. The protective benefits of the oil were attributed to a reduction in overall stomach acidity, potent anti-inflammatory effects, prevention of depletion of antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT, GPx), and reduced gastric lipoperoxidation. Overall, the research suggests that oral use of myrtle essential oil reduces oxidative stress and inflammation that contribute to gastric ulcers.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8911731/