Gastroprotective effect of tarantula cubensis extract in the indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer model in rats

Abstract

Aim: Gastric ulcers are the most common gastrointestinal disease, due to several factors in the industrialized world. They may also occur after many pharmacological agents, combined with gastroprotective agents such as proton pump inhibitors (PPI) or anti-acids, are used as a preferred approach to maintaining gastrointestinal health. Unexpected adverse effects in these combinations make natural products an important alternative option. Methods: Therefore, the main aim of this study is to investigate one natural compound, the Tarantula cubensis extract (TCE), in the experimental peptic ulcer model which was created by a single administration of indomethacin (40 mg/kg, body weight) to fed state Wistar-albino rats. The animals were pre-treated with two-doses of the TCE (0.2 ml/kg) before the indomethacin administration. After six hours, they were euthanized and the stomach tissue was isolated for biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis. Total antioxidant status/total oxidant status (TAS/TOS), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) levels were determined with ELISA in tissue homogenates. Caspase-3, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were visualized with immunohistochemistry in intact tissues. Results: Pre-treatment with TCE increased PGE2 levels and decreased total oxidative status (TAS/TOS). Additionally, TCE alleviated the increase of (NF-κB) levels due to the indomethacin administration. Histopathological and immunostaining results showed that TCE mitigated elevated immunoreactivity of the caspase-3, COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-α which were the results of the indomethacin administration. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that pre-TCE treatment ameliorated indomethacin-induced peptic ulcers via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.