Safranal, a constituent of saffron, exerts gastro-protective effects against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer.

Abstract

AIMS:

Several natural products have been evaluated for management of gastric ulcer induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Safranal, a plant-derived chemical, has a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study was aimed to evaluate possible gastro-protective effects of safranal against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Lansoprazole (a proton pump inhibitor) was used as a reference drug.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Thirty rats were divided into five groups. Groups 1 and 2 received vehicle. Groups 3, 4 and 5 treated with 0.063, 0.25 and 1 mg/kg safranal. Group 6 received 30 mg/kg lansoprazole. All groups except of group 1 received indomethacin (50 mg/kg) ingestion. Six hours later, animals were euthanized and their stomachs were removed. Gastric contents volume and pH were measured. Gastric ulcer area and protective index were evaluated using image J software. Histological changes were evaluated by light microscope. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) content, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Caspase-3 levels were determined in the gastric tissue.

KEY FINDINGS:

Safranal and lansoprazole normalized gastric volume and pH, reduced gastric ulcer area and produced gastric protection. Indomethacin-induced histological changes and tissue biochemical alterations were ameliorated by the above-mentioned treatments.

SIGNIFICANCE:

The results of the present study suggest the involvement of anti-secretory, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms in gastro-protective effect of safranal. In addition, gastro-protective effect of safranal was comparable to lansoprazole.

• Authors: Esmaeal Tamaddonfard, Amir Erfanparast, Amir Abbas Farshid, Mehdi Imani, Navideh Mirzakhani, Reza Salighedar, Sina Tamaddonfard
• Journal: Life sciences (Life Sci) Vol. 224 Pg. 88-94 (May 01 2019) ISSN: 1879-0631 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 30914317 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Anti-Ulcer Agents
• Cyclohexenes
• Plant Extracts
• Protective Agents
• Terpenes
• safranal
• Indomethacin

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (toxicity)
• Anti-Ulcer Agents (pharmacology)
• Crocus (chemistry)
• Cyclohexenes (pharmacology)
• Indomethacin (toxicity)
• Male
• Oxidative Stress (drug effects)
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Protective Agents (pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Stomach Ulcer (chemically induced, pathology, prevention & control)
• Terpenes (pharmacology)