Echinochrome pigment as novel therapeutic agent against experimentally - induced gastric ulcer in rats.

OBJECTIVE: evaluate the antiulcer healing effect of echinochrome pigment (Ech 5 and 10 mg/kg) extracted from sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus).

METHODS: Severe gastric ulceration induced in rats by administration of indomethacin in combination with cold stress (IND + CS) for 2 h. The antiulcer effect of Ech was indicated by determination of gastric juice volume, gastric juice acidity, and ulcer index as well as determination of gastric malondialdhyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO) activities. Moreover, macroscopic and microscopic evaluations of the stomachs were determined.

RESULTS: The anti-ulcer healing effect of Ech against IND + CS induced oxidative tissue injury was investigated by a significant decrease in MDA level, GST and CAT activities and a significant increase of GSH content, NO level and SOD activity. In addition, Ech treatments (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) reduce gastric lesion area to (73.51% and 75.50%, respectively) with great amelioration of the gastric juice volume and acidity. Also, affirmed by maintaining macroscopic and microscopic gastric mucosal integrity.

CONCLUSIONS: Ech pigments had an insightful effect against peptic ulcer-induced oxidative stress in rats, as it alleviates the alterations in gastric acidity and ulcer index as well as the oxidative stress markers.