Protective effects of andrographolide against diclofenac-induced gastric damage

Abstract

The use diclofenac in pain management is limited by the development of gastric ulcers. Andrographolide is a clinically approved medicinal plant extract that has been found to possess among others, a gastro protective effect and may therefore be useful in protecting against damaging effects of diclofenac. The research study aimed at determining the gastro-protective effect of andrographolide in the presence of diclofenac. Two rodent models of gastro-protection were used in this study. In the mouse pyloric ligation model, effect of andrographolide alone and in combination with diclofenac on secretion of gastric contents was determined. In the acute gastritis model, effects of andrographolide on diclofenac induced ulcers in rats was evaluated. Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain was used in histopathological examination in the acute gastritis model. All statistical analysis was done using one way analysis of variance.In the mouse pyloric ligation model, diclofenac treatment significantly lowered the pH (1.46 ± 0.1453 compared to ligated controls 3.30 ± 0.0577, p < 0.05), and co-administration of diclofenac with andrographolide raised it significantly (pH of 4.80 ±0.3512 in combination compared to diclofenac only treated groups with pH of 1.46 ± 0.1453, p < 0.001). The standard anti-ulcer drug, esomeprazole also produced a similar elevation in pH (3.87 ± 0.2848 for esomeprazole compared to diclofenac only treated groups with pH of 1.46 ±0.1453, p < 0.01). Esomeprazole and andrographolide also reduced the mucosal damaging effects of diclofenac in the acute gastritis model in rats with a reduction in the number of ulcers produced (esomeprazole 50 mg/kg, 1.0 ± 0.6000, p < 0.0001 and andrographolide 100 mg kg/kg, 2.0 ± 0.6000, p < 0.001 compared to vehicle treated groups, 10.0 ± 1.095). Histopathological examination showed reduction in damaging effects of diclofenac after andrographolide and esomeprazole administration.Results show andrographolide possesses gastro-protective effect in the presence of diclofenac.