ULCER-PROTECTING EFFECTS OF NARINGENIN ON GASTRIC-LESIONS INDUCED BY ETHANOL IN RAT - ROLE OF ENDOGENOUS PROSTAGLANDINS

This study was designed to determine the cytoprotective properties of naringenin and the involvement of endogenous prostaglandins on mucosal injury produced by absolute ethanol. Gastric glands were also histologically analysed. Oral pretreatment with the highest dose of naringenin (200 mg kg(-1)), 240 min before absolute ethanol, was the most effective in ulcer prevention. Subcutaneous administration of indomethacin (10 mg kg(-1) to the animals treated with naringenin (200 mg kg(-1)) partially inhibited the gastric protection but there was no increase in prostaglandin E(2). All treated groups showed a marked increase in gastric mucus, although this increase was less in animals pretreated with indomethacin. Total proteins and hexosamine content decreased in the groups receiving indomethacin. Histomorphometric evaluation of the gastric damage, with the highest dose of naringenin (200 mg kg(-1)), confirmed a significant increase of mucus production accompanied by a parallel reduction of gastric lesion.