Abstract

PRE-ADMINISTRATION OF CURCUMIN PREVENTS HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA IN ETHANOL-INDUCED GASTRIC ULCER

Jihan Hussein*, Tay E Abdel Razik and Mona El-Banna

ABSTRACT

Curcumin is a prototype natural product that has been widely recognized as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential role of curcumin supplementation in attenuating the aggressive effect of alcohol in experimental induced gastric ulcer. Forty male albino rats weighing 150-180 g were classified into four groups including control, curcumin, ethanol and treated groups. Oxidant and antioxidant parameters were estimated, liver and kidney function were measured, tumor necrosis factor - α (TNF-α) was determined by ELISA and homocysteine was estimated by HPLC using reversed phase column and UV detector that was performed at 260 nm. Stomach malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were significantly increased by ethanol consumption compared to control group beside the reduction of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the elevation of homocysteine and TNF-α. Whereas, pre- treatment of curcumin prevented the hyperhomocysteinemia and the elevation of TNF- α resulting in a depletion of gastric ulcer. We concluded that, curcumin is considered a promising supplement in attenuating gastric ulcer through its important role in depletion of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Keywords: gastric ulcer, curcumin, hyperhomocysteinemia, HPLC, ethanol.