Gastric Mucosal Protective Effect of Cinnamon Oil on Induced Indomethacin Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcer disease is a gastrointestinal disorder defined by an imbalance between the protective mechanisms (mucus-bicarbonate layer, prostaglandins, and blood flow) and aggressive factors (H.pylori, increased acid secretion, bile salts, and some medications). To evaluate the possible protective effects of oleum cinnamomi on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer. The present work was conducted on 24 male albino rats. Animals were randomly divided into 3 groups; Group I (8 rats) served as the plain control group; they received 5 ml/kg body weight of 2% gum acacia orally daily for 7 days. Group II (8 rats) served as the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer group; Group III (8 rats) served as the oleum cinnamomi – pretreated indomethacin – induced gastric ulcer group. Indomethacin administration produced a gastric mucosal lesion in comparison to the plain control group. Indomethacin produced a significant decrease in gastric mucosal superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in comparison to the control group. Also, it produced a significant increase in gastric Malondialdehyde (MDA) and an increase in gastric Nuclear E2_related factor2 content (Nrf2) content in comparison to the plain control group. Oleum Cinnamomi treatment (III) resulted in a significant reduction in the ulcer score (P < 0.001) in comparison to the indomethacin group. A reduction in Malondialdehyde content (P < 0.001) and Nuclear E2-related factor 2 content (P < 0.001) in comparison to the indomethacin group, respectively; and an elevation in Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in comparison to the indomethacin group. Pretreatment for seven days with cinnamon oleum resulted in improvement in ulcer score and gastric mucosal protection in rats with gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin. This was associated with improvement in antioxidant parameters.