Baicalin protects against gastroduodenal ulcers via the modulation of Nrf2 expression: Experimental, biochemical, and histological analyses.
BACKGROUND
The present study aimed to determine the mechanisms underlying the gastroprotective effects of baicalin using several animal models of chemically induced gastric ulcers.


METHODS
The gastroprotective effects of baicalin against ulcers induced by water immersion stress, alcohol-induced ligation, and indomethacin-induced pylorus ligation were assessed in the present study. Additionally, macroscopic evaluations were performed at the completion of the study and Western blot analyses of Nrf2 were conducted to determine the possible mechanisms of action underlying the effects of baicalin.


RESULTS
Compared to the effects of ranitidine in a confirmed model of indomethacin-induced ligation, treatment with various doses of baicalin resulted in significant (p <0.001) increases in protection against ulcers in a dose-dependent manner. Baicalin was 72% effective versus the reference drug and 80% effective against ethanol-induced ulcers. Additionally, in rat stomachs with pylorus ligatures, Western blot analyses revealed that baicalin was 82% protective and that cimetidine was 85% protective. Taken together, the present findings indicate that baicalin is an alternative medicine with the potential to be an effective gastroprotective agent.


CONCLUSION
The present findings suggest that the protective effects of baicalin may be regulated via Nrf2-mediated anti-secretory actions.
['Zhang|Tao|T|', 'Yang|Dong|D|', 'Meng|Xiangyu|X|']
D000818:Animals D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents D015153:Blotting, Western D002927:Cimetidine D004195:Disease Models, Animal D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug D000431:Ethanol D005419:Flavonoids D007213:Indomethacin D008297:Male D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 D010437:Peptic Ulcer D011899:Ranitidine D051381:Rats D017208:Rats, Wistar
Baicalin Nrf2 Gastroprotective Anti-secretory