Gastric ulcer is one of the most frequent gastrointestinal ailments worldwide.
Indomethacin, one of the most potent
NSAIDs, suffers undesirable ulcerogenic activity.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has known health benefits. The current study examined the potential of CAPE to combat
indomethacin-induced
gastric ulcers in rats. Animals were randomized into 5 groups: control,
Indomethacin (50 mg/kg) mg/kg), Indomethacin + CAPE (5 mg/kg/day), Indomethacin + CAPE (10 mg/kg), and Indomethacin + Omeprazole (30 mg/kg). CAPE prevented the rise in
ulcer index, attenuated histopathological changes and preserved
gastric mucin concentration. CAPE efficiently significantly prevented accumulation of malondialdehude (MDA) and prevented exhaustion of the enzymatic activities of
catalase (CAT) and
superoxide dismutase (SOD). Further, CAPE prevented the rise in the expression of
tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),
cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nuclear factor kapp-B (NFκB). This was associated with down-regulation of Bax and up-regulation of Bcl-2
mRNA. Finally, CAPE prevented induced
indomethacin-induced decrease in
heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in gastric tissues. In conclusion, CAPE possesses the ability to prevent
indomethacin-induced
gastric ulcer in rats. This involves, at least partially, antioxidation, anti-
inflammation, anti-apoptosis and enhancement of HSP70 expression.