Gastroprotective and Antioxidant Properties of Linalyl Acetate in Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats

Gastric ulcer is a major public health problem with a high morbidity of approximately 5-10%. Natural compounds with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities may offer good gastrointestinal protection. Linalyl acetate (Lin) traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases for decades. In this study, we assessed the gastroprotective action of Lin against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats and explored its potential mechanisms.

Male Wistar rats separated into 5 groups: I (sham), II (gastric ulcer), and III-V (Lin + gastric ulcer). Group II orally treated with ethanol 90% (1 ml/200 g). Groups III-V pretreated with three different doses (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) of Lin. After an hour, the groups III-V fed with ethanol 90%. After another hour, all rats sacrificed. Then, gastric tissues examined through macroscopic evaluation (gastric ulcer index and protection index) and total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Furthermore, pH value and gastric juice volume assessed in pylorus ligation model.

Pretreatment with Lin at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg (orally) significantly decreased ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injuries [number of ulcers, severity of gastric ulcers, and ulcer Index] in rats. Pretreatment with Lin also decreased the gastric ulcer by decreasing the gastric juice volume and gastric TOS.

These results suggest that the administration of Lin promotes protection against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats likely by the decreasing of the gastric juice volume and gastric TOS.