Gastroprotective Effect of Punicalagin against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcer: The Possible Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract

Gastric ulcer is the most digestive disease found in clinical practice. Punicalagin (PCG) found in pomegranate juice has antioxidant and tissue repair properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate punicalagin's gastroprotective effect against ethanol-induce gastric injury. Four groups of rats; first group served as control, group 2: Treated with absolute ethanol (5 ml/kg, po), group 3: Rats were pre-treated with ranitidine (as a reference drug) (50 mg/kg, po) before ethanol and group 4: Pre-treated with PCG (4 mg/kg, po) before ethanol. Pretreatment with PCG reduced ulcer index and histopathological changes, oxidative stress induced by ethanol while it elevated antioxidant activity. Although, it down regulated Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α) gene expression and mucosal levels of inflammatory cytokines; TNF-α, Interleukin (IL-1β) and Interferon Gamma (IFNγ), it up regulated mucosal level of IL-10. Also, it reduced mucosal Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NFκB) protein expression, mylopeoxidase and caspase 3 activities as well as gene expression of caspase 9 while it elevated antiapoptotic B-Cell Lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) gene expression, mucosal nitric oxide and mucin content. However, it had negative action on prostaglandin E2 and acid secretions. These findings indicate gastroprotective effects of punicalagin against ethanol induced gastric ulcer through suppression of mucosal oxidative stress and inflammation through NFκB pathway as well cytoprotective defences independent on prostaglandin E2 and acid secretions.

Chemical composition and protective role of Pulicaria undulata (L.) C.A. Mey. subsp. undulata against gastric ulcer induced by ethanol in rats

“…Pre-treatment with the plant extract decreased gastric acid secretions vs. stomach ulcer group. Therefore and in agreement with the present study, substances which suppress gastric acid secretion have the ability to accelerate the healing process of the gastric lesions and inhibit the formation of mucosal injury ( Brzozowski et al., 2000 ; Katary and Salahuddin, 2017 ).…”

Ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats and intervention of tert-butylhydroquinone: Involvement of Nrf2/HO-1 signalling pathway

“…It has previously reported that acute exposure of ethanol decreased gastric juice pH as compared to the control group by increasing acid secretion. 40 Administration of absolute ethanol showed significant increase in UI, while preadministration of tBHQ at both the doses showed significant reduction in UI. Ismail et al reported that administration of ethanol produced linear haemorrhagic lesions, extensive submucosal oedema, mucosal friability, inflammatory cells infiltration and epithelial cell loss into the gastric lumen.…”

Protective Effects of Miswak (Salvadora persica) against Experimentally Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats

“…The data of the current study showed an upregulation of gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines: TNF- α and IL-1 β in the gastric mucosa of the EtOH-treated rats. In the same context, Katary and Salahuddin [ 44 ] reported the enhancement of gene expression and mucosal levels of TNF- α along with increased mucosal levels of IL-1 β after ethanol consumption in rats. The gastric inflammatory condition has been associated with the release of TNF- α , which activates the immune cells and other proinflammatory cytokines and increases the NF- κ B expression [ 45 ].…”