Vivian Molina, Talena Ledón, Yazmin Ravelo, Zullyt Zamora and Licet Mena
Abstract Background: Peptic ulcer is very common diseases in the adult population affecting the patient’s life quality. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) play an important role in the gastric cytoprotection and the gastroprotective effects of some substances that increase the gastric mucus secretion is associated with increased concentrations of PGE2 in gastric mucosa. D-002 is a gastroprotective substance, but its effects on gastric mucosa PGE2 concentrations remained unexplored. This study investigated the effects of D-002 on PGE2 concentrations in gastric mucosa with ethanol induced gastric ulcer in rats. Methods and Findings: Rats were randomized into six groups: a negative control that only received the vehicle and five groups with ethanol induced gastric ulcer: a positive control (vehicle-treated), three treated with D-002 (25, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and one with omeprazole (20 mg/kg) as a reference substance. Gastric ulcer index, gastric mucus amount and concentrations of PGE2 in gastric mucosa were quantified. D-002 (25, 100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly and markedly inhibited ulcer index (44.4; 47.8 and 75.2%, respectively), significantly prevented the reduction of gastric mucus content (89.8, 100 and 100%, respectively), and completely restored the concentrations of PGE2 depleted in gastric mucosa compared to the positive control group and significantly increased their levels compared to the negative control (60.3; 70.5 and 136.1%) group. No dose/effect relationship was found on any of these variables. Omeprazole was effective on all variables studied. Conclusions: D-002 (25, 100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly and markedly increased PGE2 concentrations in gastric mucosa of rats with ethanol induced gastric ulcer, which supports at least in part its gastroprotector multifactorial mechanism.
