The effect of nimesulide on the indomethacin- and ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

In the present study, we investigated the effects of nimesulide, indomethacin, naproxene, ibuprofen and diclofenac, at anti-inflammatory doses, on the rat gastric tissue (total number = 102). In addition, the effect of nimesulide at doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg kg(-1) on indomethacin-induced and ethanol-induced damage (ulcer) was examined. The potency of nimesulide was compared with that of ranitidine (at 150 mg kg(-1)). Results indicated that nimesulide did not produce any gastric damage. Additionally, it has a therapeutic effect on indomethacin- and ethanol-induced gastric lesions. Ulcer areas were measured in the rats given nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Nimesulide (at doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg kg(-1)) and ranitidine (at a dose of 150 mg kg(-1)) treated completely indomethacin-induced ulcer. The mean ulcer area was 21.9 +/- 8.9 mm(2)in the indomethacin-given control group. Nimesulide and ranitidine reduced the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer. The ulcer area was 114.3 +/- 10.3 mm(2) in the ethanol-given group and it was 4.5 +/- 4.8, 20.1 +/- 1.66, 15.16 +/- 4.05 mm(2) for nimesulide (at doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg kg(-1)), respectively, and 64.16 +/- 3.97 mm(2) for ranitidine. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.