Gastroprotective activity of ethyl-4-[(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylidene) amino]benzoate against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal ulcer in rats

PLoS One. 2014 May 6;9(5):e95908. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095908. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Background: The study was carried out to determine the cytotoxic, antioxidant and gastro-protective effect of ethyl-4-[(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylid ene)amino] benzoate (ETHAB) in rats.

Methodology/principal findings: The cytotoxic effect of ETHAB was assessed using a MTT cleavage assay on a WRL68 cell line, while its antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro. In the anti-ulcer study, rats were divided into six groups. Group 1 and group 2 received 10% Tween 20 (vehicle). Group 3 received 20 mg/kg Omeprazole. Groups 4, 5 and 6 received ETHAB at doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, respectively. After an hour, group 1 received the vehicle. Groups 2-6 received absolute ethanol to induce gastric mucosal lesions. In the WRL68 cell line, an IC50 of more than 100 µg/mL was observed. ETHAB results showed antioxidant activity in the DPPH, FRAP, nitric oxide and metal chelating assays. There was no acute toxicity even at the highest dosage (1000 mg/kg). Microscopy showed that rats pretreated with ETHAB revealed protection of gastric mucosa as ascertained by significant increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD), pH level, mucus secretion, reduced gastric lesions, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and remarkable flattened gastric mucosa. Histologically, pretreatment with ETHAB resulted in comparatively better gastric protection, due to reduction of submucosal edema with leucocyte infiltration. PAS staining showed increased intensity in uptake of Alcian blue. In terms of immunohistochemistry, ETHAB showed down-expression of Bax proteins and over-expression of Hsp70 proteins.

Conclusion/significance: The gastroprotective effect of ETHAB may be attributed to antioxidant activity, increased gastric wall mucus, pH level of gastric contents, SOD activity, decrease in MDA level, ulcer area, flattening of gastric mucosa, reduction of edema and leucocyte infiltration of the submucosal layer, increased PAS staining, up-regulation of Hsp70 protein and suppressed expression of Bax.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antioxidants / chemical synthesis
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Ethanol / toxicity
  • Female
  • Gastric Mucosa / drug effects*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phenols / pharmacology
  • Phenols / therapeutic use*
  • Rats
  • Stomach Ulcer / drug therapy*
  • para-Aminobenzoates / pharmacology
  • para-Aminobenzoates / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Phenols
  • ethyl 4-((3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)benzoate
  • para-Aminobenzoates
  • Ethanol

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the University of Malaya Grant (PG054-2012B) and High Impact Research Grant UM-MOHE UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/SC/09 from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.