Acute toxicity and gastroprotection studies of a newSchiff base derived copper (II) complex against ethanol-induced acute gastric lesions in rats

• Main Authors: Abdulla, M.A., Hajrezaie, M., Golbabapour, S., Hassandarvish, P., Gwaram, N.S., Hadi, A.H.A., Mohd Ali, H., Majid, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science 2012
• Subjects: R Medicine (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/10582/1/Acute_toxicity_and_gastroprotection_studies_of_a_newSchiff_base_derived_copper_%28II%29_complex_against_ethanol-induced_acute_gastric_lesions_in_rats.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/10582/

Background: Copper is an essential element in various metabolisms. The investigation was carried out to evaluate Acute gastroprotective effects of the Copper (II) complex against ethanol-induced superficial hemorrhagic mucosal lesions in rats. Methodology/Principal Findings: Rats were divided into 7 groups. Groups 1 and 2 were orally administered with Tween 20 (10% v/v). Group 3 was orally administered with 20 mg/kg omeprazole (10% Tween 20). Groups 4-7 received 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg of the complex (10% Tween 20), respectively. Tween 20 (10% v/v) was given orally to group 1 and absolute ethanol was given orally to groups 2-7, respectively. Rats were sacrificed after 1 h. Group 2 exhibited severe superficial hemorrhagic mucosal lesions. Gastric wall mucus was significantly preserved by the pre-treatment complex. The results showed a significant increase in glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2)) activities and a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Histology showed marked reduction of hemorrhagic mucosal lesions in groups 4-7. Immunohistochemical staining showed up-regulation of Hsp70 and down-regulation of Bax proteins. PAS staining of groups 4-7 showed intense stain uptake of gastric mucosa. The Acute Toxicity revealed the non-toxic nature of the compound. Conclusion/Significance: The gastroprotective effect of the Copper (II) complex may possibly be due to preservation of gastric wall mucus; increase in PGE(2) synthesis; GSH, SOD, and NO up-regulation of Hsp70 protein; decrease in MDA level; and down-regulation of Bax protein.