PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF CURCUMIN AGAINST INDOMETHACIN-INDUCED GASTRIC ULCER IN RATS: ROLE OF INOS, NF-κB, AND CASPASE 3
Mohamed A. Morsy
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences/Pharmacology Division, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Abstract:
Curcumin, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that rendering it attractive candidate for protecting against gastric ulcer. The aim of this study therefore is to evaluate the protective effects of curcumin against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Gastric ulceration was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of indomethacin (30 mg/kg). Curcumin (50 mg/kg, p.o.) was suspended in 0.5% aqueous solution of carboxymethyl cellulose and was administered 30 min before ulcer induction. Curcumin exhibited gastroprotective effects as evidenced by significant decreases in ulcer index as well as total acid output and pepsin activity in gastric juice in addition to gastric mucosal malondialdehyde concentration, with concomitant increases in gastric juice mucin concentration along with gastric mucosal nitric oxide, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels compared with indomethacin-induced ulcer group. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that curcumin treatment markedly decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor-κB, and caspase 3 expressions. In conclusion, curcumin protected rats' gastric mucosa against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration possibly through enhancement of gastric mucosal barrier and reduction in acid secretory parameters in addition to antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activities.