Protective action of vinpocetine against experimentally induced gastric damage in rats

The efficacy of vinpocetine (CAS 42971-09-5) to prevent gastric mucosal damage induced by several noxious agents and its antisecretory effect were studied in rats. Vinpocetine administered orally or intraperitoneally inhibited the development of gastric lesions induced by 96% ethanol in a dose-dependent way. The highest protective activity was observed when vinpocetine was given intraperitoneally 30 min before ethanol, and its effect was still significant when administered 120 min before ethanol exposure. Oral administration of vincamine also displayed gastroprotective action in this model. Pretreatment with indometacin counteracted the protective action of vinpocetine against ethanol-induced damage, suggesting the involvement of a prostaglandin-mediated mechanism. The protective effect of vinpocetine was compared with that of prostaglandin E2, sucralfate, and tripotassium dicitrate bismuthate. The antiulcer activity of vinpocetine was demonstrated also in gastric injury induced by phenylbulazone and in chronic gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid. Histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats was partially inhibited by vinpocetine administered intraduodenally. The activity of vinpocetine established in these experiments is indicative of its potential clinical value as a gastroprotective agent.