Protective activity of crocin against indomethacin-induced gastric lesions in rats

Abstract
The present study was designed to elucidate the mechanism(s) of the gastro-protective effect of crocin against indomethacin-induced gastric lesions. Crocin or pantoprazole was administered to rats 30 min before indomethacin. Five hours later, the animals were killed and their stomachs were removed and examined macroscopically. Samples of gastric mucosa were collected for microscopic evaluation, mRNA expression of caspase-3, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 was quantified by RT-PCR, and protein levels of COX-1, COX-2, iNOS and caspase-3 were assessed by Western blotting. The pH, volume of gastric effluent and antioxidant activity were measured in 5 separate groups of rats following pylorus ligation. Indomethacin induced significant increases in mRNA and protein expression of iNOS and caspase-3 and increased MDA levels, and reduced the pH of the gastric effluent and protein and mRNA expression of COX-2 and protein expression of COX-1 and mucus content associated with gastric ulceration. Crocin and pantoprazole significantly inhibited mRNA and protein expression of iNOS, caspase-3 and MDA, and reduced mucus content induced by indomethacin. However, unlike pantoprazole, crocin failed to increase COX-1 and pH, but had variable increasing effects on mRNA and protein expression of COX-2. Macroscopic and microscopic observations showed that mucosal erosions induced by indomethacin were significantly inhibited by pantoprazol...

Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - October 6, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research