The study examines the anti-
ulcer activity of Cu(I)-(nicotinic acid)2Cl [
CuCl(HNA)2]. A dose of 8 mg (23 mumol) of complex/kg body mass was suspended in 0.25% Tween-80 in
saline solution and administered intragastrically to male Wistar albino rats which had developed
gastric ulcers as a result of pyloric
ligation (Shay-rat model). Another group of animals received 5 mg (25 mumol)/kg body mass of the
copper-glycinate complex Cu(II)(glycinate)2 [Cu(II)(Gly)2]. Both protected as shown by reduction in the
ulcer index, inhibition of gastric perforation and death. Significant increases in gastric juice volume and
superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the gastric mucosa and blood plasma were found with both
copper complexes, while the gastric juice
prostaglandin E2 (
PGE2) content was significantly decreased in the Cu(II)(Gly)2-treated group, it was significantly increased in the gastric mucosa of the CuCl(HNA)2-treated group. The
copper complex-treated animals, especially those which received Cu(II)(Gly)2 had a marked fall in
thromboxane A2 (TXA2) levels. These results suggest that intragastric administration of either
CuCl(HNA)2 or Cu(II)(Gly)2 produced anti-ulcerogenic activity, with different modes of action.