Effects of riboceine (Cellgevity) on ulcer models in rats

Abstract

Ulcer has been associated with acid secretion in the gastric mucosa. Recent studies have shown that prostaglandins inhibit gastric secretion, stimulates bicarbonate secretion and increases gastric blood volume, and important in the pathophysiology of peptic ulcer disease and possibly in its prevention and treatment. Studies have shown that glutathione promotes biosynthesis of leukotrienes and prostaglandins. Riboceine is a glutathione precursor. The study was conducted to determine the effect of riboceine on ulcer models in rats. Riboceine was administered at 7 mg/kg, 14 mg/kg, and 28 mg/kg for seven days orally. Misoprostol (50 μg/kg) was used a positive control orally. The prophylactic activity was investigated using ethanol, diclofenac, and pylorus-ligation-induced gastric ulcer models in rats. In the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model, there was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the ulcer index by riboceine 28 mg/kg which produced 60% protection and lowest number of lesions. In diclofenac-induced gastric ulcer model, there was no significant reduction in the ulcer index by riboceine at all doses. Riboceine 14 mg/kg produced 72.72 % protection and lowest number of lesion. In pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcer model, there was a significant reduction (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01) in the ulcer index by riboceine (7 mg/kg, 14 mg/kg, 28 mg/kg) respectively. Riboceine 7 mg/kg produced 87.36 % protection and lowest number of lesions which was lesser than that of misoprostol (50 mg/kg), which produced 96.84 % protection. Riboceine also showed no significant difference in the volume of gastric secretion and no significant differences in the effect of pH when compared with control.Overall, this study showed that riboceine is effective as a preventive measure in ulcer. A possible mechanism of action is by mucosal protection.