Abstract

Aim and Objective: To investigate the anti-ulcer activity of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) in various experimental models of gastric ulcer, in wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: Rats were assigned to 5 groups in each model; Normal control, Vehicle control (5% CMC treated), GSPE (50 mg/kg, p.o. 4 days), GSPE (100 mg/kg, p.o. 4 days), Famotidine (40 mg/kg, p.o) or Omeprazole (50 mg/kg, p.o.). Three animal models used in study were (n=6) 1. Pylorus ligation model: After 4 days of pretreatment, fasted rats were anaesthized and abdomen was incised and pylorus part was ligated. Immediately after ligation drug and vehicle was administered. 4 hours later, animals were sacrificed, abdomen was opened and stomach was removed and assessed; Indomethacin treated model: In this model after 4 days of pretreatment, indomethacin (50 mg/kg) was given to the fasted rats to induce ulceration. After 5 hour rats were sacrificed and stomach was removed and assessed; Stress induced ulcer model: After 4 days of GSPE pretreatment, on day 4th fasted animals were immobilized in restrainer. The restrainer was exposed to cold environment (4-7°C) to produce gastric ulcer. At the end of 3 hour stress exposure animals were sacrificed stomach was removed for ulcer assessment.

Results: Gastric acidity and ulcer index in pylorus ligation models were significantly decreased on GSPE (100 mg/kg) drug treatment. Administration of GSPE extract led to significant decrease in MDA levels, in both 50 and 100 mg/kg treated groups. Similar results were obtained in case nitrite/nitrate and MPO levels in each model. Furthermore, the obtained results revealed that pylorus ligation; indomethacin and stress models also significantly decreased the anti-oxidant levels like catalase, SOD and GSH. Antioxidant levels were lowered in vehicle treated control rats in each model and these levels were significantly increased in GSPE treated groups in each model.

Discussion: In the present study GSPE (100 mg/kg) prevented both the increase in markers of oxidative stress and the decrease in levels of endogenous oxidants. In contrast of Famotidine and omeprazole only prevented the increase in the markers of oxidative stress.

Conclusion: Hence, the GSPE higher doses are a better therapeutic option for the treatment of gastric ulcer in terms of better therapeutic health benefits and lesser side effects.

Keywords: Gastric ulcer; Indomethacin; Gastric acidity; Oxidative stress