Gastric ulcer is a multi-step disease caused due to imbalance between mucosal defense and aggressive factors. Available
anti-ulcer drugs although effective at various steps of
ulcer pathogenecity, pose adverse effects. Pectic
polysaccharide (SRPP) from swallow root (Decalepis hamiltonii) - previously shown to possess
ulcer preventive effect against swim stress and
ethanol induced
gastric ulcers. In the current study, alteration of
matrix metalloproteinases,
gastric mucin and
prostaglandin E(2) levels during
polysaccharide mediated
ulcer healing was determined in
acetic acid induced
gastric ulcer model in Wistar albino rats. Results indicated the potential
ulcer healing effect of SRPP as evidenced by approximately 90% reduction in
ulcer index; improvement in the
antioxidant defense such as increase of
glutathione levels together with significant reduction in
lipid and
protein oxidation and protection to damaged
gastric mucin. Further, histological studies substantiated the result of the recovery of
mucin that was eroded during ulceration,
rejuvenation of mucosal epithelium and enhancement of high molecular mass
mucin as opposed to the degraded approximately 55 kDa
mucin that appeared only during
ulcer condition.
Matrix metalloproteinases (
MMPs) that are involved in tissue injury was found to be modulated by SRPP treatment in addition to increased cytoprotectivity due to enhanced synthesis of
PGE(2) that necessitates the active proliferation of
gastric mucin cells. Further, reduction in approximately 3 folds of
galectin-3, an inflammatory marker suggests gastro protection against
acid induced
inflammation and gastric wall damages. Overall, studies show the effectiveness of SRPP in inhibiting
MMPs and
galectin-3 levels which were up-regulated during
ulcer conditions. In addition SRPP ensured cytoprotectivity and
rejuvenation of mucosal barrier via
PGE(2) trigger leading to
ulcer healing.