Indomethacin inactivates gastric peroxidase to induce reactive-oxygen-mediated gastric mucosal injury and curcumin protects it by preventing peroxidase inactivation and scavenging reactive oxygen

Abstract We have investigated the mechanism of indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the gastroprotective effect of curcumin thereon. Curcumin dose-dependently blocks indomethacin-induced gastric lesions, showing 82% protection at 25 mg/kg. Indomethacin-induced oxidative damage by ROS as shown by increased lipid peroxidation and thiol depletion is almost completely blocked by curcumin. Indomethacin causes nearly fivefold increase in hydroxyl radical ( OH) and significant inactivation of gastric mucosal peroxidase to elevate endogenous H 2 O 2 and H 2 O 2 -derived OH, which is prevented by curcumin. In vitro studies indicate that indomethacin inactivates peroxidase irreversibly only in presence of H 2 O 2 by acting as a suicidal substrate. 5,5-Dimethyl-pyrroline- N -oxide (DMPO) protects the peroxidase, indicating involvement of indomethacin radical in the inactivation. Indomethacin radical was also detected in the peroxidase–indomethacin–H 2 O 2 system as DMPO adduct (a N  = 15 G, a β H  = 16 G) by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Curcumin protects the peroxidase in a concentration-dependent manner and consumes H 2 O 2 for its oxidation as a suitable substrate of the peroxidase, thereby blocking indomethacin oxidation. Curcumin can also scavenge OH in vitro . We suggest that curcumin protects gastric damage by efficient removal of H 2 O 2 and H 2 O 2 -derived OH by preventing peroxidase inactivation by indomethacin.