Ameliorating and protective effects mesalazine on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in experimental rats.

Gastric ulcer is a frequent gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorder that affects about 10% of the world population. Drug candidates that can provide high efficacy and low toxicity are needed value for the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers. The present study aimed to assess the protective effect of mesalazine against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. The rats were divided into five groups, normal, ethanolic, standard (recipient ranitidine 50 mg/kg), experimental groups 1, 2 (receive mesalazine at doses of 50 and 100, respectively). The protective effect of mesalazine was evaluated by the ulcer index, histological examinations, measurement of oxidative stress parameters, antioxidant systems, and some gastric mucosal protection factors. Pre-treatment of rats with doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg Mesalazine (5-ASA) in experimental groups 1 and 2 increased the pH of gastric juice and reduced the gastric ulcer index compared to the ethanolic group. Also, the results indicated that mesalazine, reduced the tissue reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl (PCO) levels, serum nitric oxide (NO), and increased the level of tissue NO and glutathione (GSH) and activity of Catalase (CAT), Based on these results, it can be concluded that mesalazine strengthens the antioxidant defense system of gastric mucosal cells during oxidative damage caused by ethanol.