OBJECTIVETo observe the antiulcer effects of pomegranate tannins in animal models.

METHODGastric ulcer models were established by pylorus ligation, intragastric absolute ethanol, and water-immersion stress, respectively. The ulcer index, the contents of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) from gastric mucosa of rats, the gastric juice volume, free acidity, total acidity,total acid output, the pepsin activity, the amount of adherent mucus and free mucus were measured, respectively.

RESULTPomegranate tannins (500, 150, 50 mg x kg(-1)) significantly inhibited ulcerative formation induced by both water immersion stress and pylorus ligation, obviously decreased the gastric mucosa damages induced by intragastric absolute ethanol, in dose-dependent manner. Pomegranate tannins significantly inhibited absolute alcohol-induced elevation of MDA as well as decreasing of NO level, and activities of both SOD and GHS-PX from gastric mucosa. Pomegranate tannins significantly increased the secretion of adherent mucus and free mucus, but did not affect elevation of the free acidity, total acidity, and total acid output, gastric juice volume, gastric pepsin activity induced by pylorus ligation.

CONCLUSIONPomegranate tannins play a protective role against gastric ulcer. Its antiulcer effect is related to increasing secretion of adherent mucus and free mucus from the stomach wall, which may inhibit generation of oxygen-derived free radicals, and decrease the consumption of GSH-PX and SOD, and maintain content of NO at normal level.