Therapeutic effect of Tarantula cubensis extract on indomethacin induced gastric ulcers in rats

Abstract

Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have widely been used in patients but side-effects associated with
NSAID are also common. Tarantula cubensis extract (TCE) is an antiphlogistic, demarcative, homeopathic and
necrotizing drug with wound healing effects in farm animals. However, the therapeutic effects of TCE on gastric ulcers
has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the gastroprotective effects of TCE against
indomethacin-induced gastric injury in rats.
A total of 28 female, Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: (i) the control group, (ii) the indomethacin
(Indo) group, (iii) the TCE + Indo group, and (iv) the ranitidine + Indo group. We measured total antioxidant capacity,
total oxidant capacity and oxidative stress index in the blood serum. We also measured tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-
α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity level in the stomach tissue of rats. Finally,
histopathology of the tissue of all groups was assessed. Immunostaining of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and
nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) was performed in the gastric tissue of all animals studied.
Application of the TCE significantly decreased IL-1β and IL-6 levels were markedly lower than ranitidine. Thus,
notable Indo-induced alterations in cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6) in rat gastric tissue were alleviated by TCE. Moreover, the
gastric mucosal tissues of the TCE treated group exhibited a regular and uninterrupted mucosal layer and epithelial
layer. Immunohistochemical results revealed that Indo increased 8-OHdG and NF-kB expression when compared to
the control groups and treatment by TCE decreased the expression. The results obtained showed that the group
receiving TCE exhibited lower gastric erosion and better efficiency than with ranitidine.
These results have demonstrated that TCE provides a therapeutic effect in Indo-induced gastric ulcers in rats.