Introduction: 5-fluorouracil is a potent antimetabolite chemotherapeutic medication used for treatment of various malignancies . Using this agent result in toxic effect mainly in the lining of digestive tract. To ameliorate 5 FU toxic effect ginger was implicated in this study.
Aim of the Work: To evaluate the microscopic effect of 5-fluorouracil on gastric fundus mucosa in rat models . and to study the possible beneficial role of ginger in the ameliorations of these changes.  Material and Methods: Forty-eight adult male albino rates were divided into four groups: group I (control), group II received ginger orally in a dose of 200 mg/kg/day , group III received 5-fluorouracil (15 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and group IV received 5 FU and Ginger as previous doses for 5 days. The fundic part of stomach was excised and subjected to light and electron microscopic studies.
Results: In 5 FU treated group, the fundic gastric mucosa showed multiple areas of tissue loss , congested dilated blood vessels and extravasated red blood cells and mononuclear infiltration were seen between fundic gland cells. Parietal cells showed ballooned appearance, vacuolated cytoplasm, and pykontic nuclei. PAS/ Alcian blue stained sections showed marked reduction in both alcian blue and PAS positive reaction. There was strong positive cytoplasmic reaction in the apical and middle parts of the fundic glands for caspase 3 while large number of parietal cells were stained positive for Cox 2. These histological findings were improved after ginger administration. Histomorphometric study revealed significant weight reduction, increased mucosal ulcer depth, decreased mucosal thickness and increased number of parietal cells in 5 FU treated group when compared to control group.  Conclusion: 5FU causes gastric damage in rat model. Ginger supplementation could be used to alleviate the damaging pathological effect on gastric fundus.