[Experimental findings on gastric ulcerogenicity and mucosa protection by benzydamine in the rat]

Benzydamine (Tantum) was studied for ulcerogenic and ulcer protective effects in the rat gastric mucosa. Contrary to other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, i.e. acetylsalicylic acid and piroxicam, benzydamine was not ulcerogenic. The lack of ulcerogenicity might be explained by the fact that benzydamine does not inhibit the cyclooxygenase. Ulcer protective properties of benzydamine were observed against acetylsalicylic acid- and ethanol-induced gastric lesions. Vasoprotective mechanisms might be responsible for these effects.