Abstract
Phy-Blica-D is a traditional Thai polyherbal formula that has reduced oxidative stress in non-communicable diseases. However, evidence supporting the gastroprotective effects of Phy-Blica-D has not been previously reported. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective effects of Phy-Blica-D against gastric ulcers in rats and investigate the potential underlying mechanism. To estimate the possible mechanisms of action, we examined the levels of oxidative stress markers, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH). According to our results, rats treated with only 80% ethanol (vehicle group) exhibited significant increases in their ulcer area and ulcer index (UI). Moreover, the levels of ROS and MDA markedly increased in the vehicle group compared with the normal control group. Daily oral administration of Phy-Blica-D (500 and 1000 mg/kg) for 7 days not only significantly decreased the ulcer area and UI, but also remarkably decreased the ROS and MDA levels in gastric tissue. Gastric ulcers induced by ethanol had significantly decreased antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT and SOD) and non-enzymatic antioxidant (GSH), whereas pretreatment with Phy-Blica-D significantly improved the activities of CAT, SOD, and GSH. Moreover, after exposure to ethanol, the rats exhibited a significantly increased level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which was reduced after treatment with Phy-Blica-D. These findings suggest that Phy-Blica-D potentially exerts its gastroprotective effects by suppressing oxidative stress and stimulating antioxidant enzymes, which is one of the causes of destruction of cell membranes, and it is involved in the pathogenesis of acute gastric ulcers induced by ethanol.
Highlights
Gastric ulcers are one of the most common diseases of the digestive system
All materials and reagents were obtained from Sigma (Sigma-Aldrich Pty Ltd., Darmstadt, Germany), and the CAT, superoxide dismutase (SOD), GSH, reactive oxygen species (ROS), MDA, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity measurement kits were purchased from Sunlong Biotech Co., Ltd. (Sunlong Biotech Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China)
The levels of iNOS were decreased by OMZ and Phy-Blica-D treatment. These results indicated that the improvement of gastric ulcers by Phy-Blica-D might be associated with its antiinflammatory effects
Summary
Gastric ulcers are one of the most common diseases of the digestive system. The pathophysiology of this disease is a multifactorial process that is caused by an imbalance of gastric mucosa-protecting (pepsin) and gastric mucosa-destroying factors (acid) and is induced by infection, smoking, stress, the prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and excessive alcohol ingestion [1]. Ethanol-induced gastric ulcers result from disruption of the gastric mucosa, which increases mucosal permeability and bleeding. White blood cells, such as neutrophils, infiltrate the site of gastric injury and cause the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other mediators of inflammation, resulting in oxidative damage and damage to cells [1,2]. ROS are the main mediators of oxidative stress and decrease the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase—SOD and catalase—CAT)
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