INHIBITION OF GASTRIC-MUCOSAL DAMAGE BY SANTONIN PRETREATMENT IN RATS

The effect of santonin pretreatment on gastric mucosal injuries caused by 80% ethanol, 25% NaCl, 0.2 M NaOH, indomethacin, and combined trea tment of ethanol and indomethacin was investigated in rats. The effect s caused by ethanol on gastric mucus secretion, gastric levels of non- protein sulfhydryl groups, and malondialdehyde and histopathological e ffects were also investigated. Santonin pretreatment at oral doses of 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg (121.8, 243.6, and 487.2 mu mol/kg) provided a d ose-dependent protection against the ulcerogenic effects of different necrotising agents used. Further pretreatment with santonin afforded a dose-dependent inhibition of ethanol-induced depletion of stomach wal l mucus, proteins, nucleic acids, non-protein sulfhydryl groups, and a n increase in malondialdehyde levels in gastric tissue. The histopatho logical lesions induced by ethanol in the gastric mucosa were also pro tected by santonin pretreatment. The protective effect of santonin aga inst alcohol damage to the gastric-wall mucosa may be mediated th roug h its effects on mucus production, nucleic acids, and non-protein sulf hydryl generation and its free-radical scavenging. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss , Inc.