1,8-cineol, a food flavoring agent, prevents ethanol-induced gastric injury in rats

This study investigated the gastroptrotective effect of 1,8-cineole (cineol e) on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in rats and the possible mecha nisms involved. 1,8-Cineole (50-200 mg/kg), given orally 1 hr before admini stration of 1 mi of absolute ethanol significantly attenuated the ethanol-i nduced gastric injury in a manner similar to nordihydroguairetic acid, a kn own lipoxygenase inhibitor. 1,S-Cineole showed a tendency to restore the et hanol-associated decreases in nonprotein sulfhydryls, suggesting a possible antioxidant effect. In gastric secretion studies, 1,8-cineole, similar to cimetidine, a known histamine-2 receptor antagonist, demonstrated significa nt inhibitions of both gastric juice volume as well as total acid output. T he protection offered by 1,8-cineole was found to be unaltered by 8-phenylt heophylline or L-NAME, indicating that its effect is not mediated by endoge nous adenosine or nitric oxide. These results, taken together with the earl ier reports, suggest that the antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory actio ns of 1,8-cineole are of prime importance in affording gastroprotection aga inst ethanol injury in the rat.