The effects of baicalein on gastric mucosal ulcerations in mice: Protective pathways and anti-secretory mechanisms

Abstract Many flavonoids have been shown to present good results for the treatment of gastric ulcers. Baicalein, a bioactive flavonoid derived from the Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi root, possesses several biological effects, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. This study was conducted to assess the gastroprotective properties of baicalein. Anti-ulcerogenic assay was performed using the protocol of ulcer induced by ethanol/HCl in mice; then, the role of presynaptic α 2 -receptors, sulfhydryl (SH) compounds, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG) and ATP-sensitive K + (K ATP ) channels in gastroprotection of baicalein was investigated. The levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were measured in the gastric mucosa. Parameters of gastric secretion (volume, [H + ] and pH) were determined with or without the presence of the secretagogue agent histamine, as well as mucus in gastric contents, by the pylorus ligation model. In vitro H + ,K + -ATPase activity was also determined. Baicalein (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) exhibited a dose related gastroprotective effect ( P 2 -adrenoreceptor antagonist (yohimbine; 2 mg/kg), a SH compounds blocker ( N -ethylmaleimide, NEM; 10 mg/kg), a non-selective inhibitor of NO synthase ( N w -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, L-NAME; 10 mg/kg), a non-selective inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase (indomethacin; 10 mg/kg) or a K ATP channel blocker (glibenclamide; 10 mg/kg) was able to reverse ( P P P P P + ] and pH; P anti -H + ,K + -ATPase activity. In conclusion, the present results provide convincing evidence that baicalein could be used as a cytoprotective (preventive effect) and anti-ulcerogenic (anti-secretory effect) agent in the gastric ulcers.