Gastroprotective activity of α-terpineol in two experimental models of gastric ulcer in rats

Souza R, Cardoso M, Menezes C, Silva J, De Sousa D, Batista J
DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011


ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND AND THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:
Several plant essential oils, as well as terpenes present in essential oils, have shown gastroprotective activity. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the gastroprotective activity of α-terpineol, a monoterpene alcohol which is present in essential oils of various plants.

METHODS:
The gastroprotective activity of α-terpineol was evaluated in rats by assessing the changes in ethanol and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer scores and on gastric secretory volume and total acidity in pylorus-ligated rats. Alpha-terpineol was administrated orally at the doses of 10, 30, and 50 mg/kg one hour before administration of the ulcer inducing agents by the pylorus ligation procedure. The involvement of endogenous prostaglandins in the protective effect of α-terpineol in ethanol-induced gastric lesions test was assessed by administration of indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.) 30 min before oral administration of α-terpineol at the dose of 50 mg/kg.

RESULTS:
α-terpineol presented gastroprotective activity against ethanol-induced ulcers at the doses of 10, 30, and 50 mg/kg. Epoxy-carvone at the dose of 10 mg/kg did not present gastroprotective activity against ulcer induced by indomethacin, but at the doses of 30 and 50 mg/kg it attenuated the gastric damages induced by this agent significantly. Pretreatment with indomethacin did not prevent the gastroprotective effect of α-terpineol on ethanol-induced ulcers. Alpha-terpineol also did not affect the gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats.

MAJOR CONCLUSION:
The results suggest that α-terpineol presents gastroprotective action which does not involve either an increase in the synthesis of endogenous prostaglandin or a decrease in the gastric acid secretion.

CITATION:

Souza R, Cardoso M, Menezes C, Et Al. Gastroprotective activity of α-terpineol in two experimental models of gastric ulcer in rats. Daru. 2011;19(4):277-281.


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