Tricyclic antidepressants are particularly useful in the treatment of
endogenous depression. Since the 1950s,
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have also been used for the treatment of
gastric ulcer disease. Many TCAs have been evaluated for their antiulcer effects, but there are presently no data in the literature specifically concerning the
antidepressant opipramol. This study aimed to investigate the antiulcer effects of
opipramol and to determine its potential relationship with
oxidant and
antioxidant systems. The antiulcer activities of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg
opipramol have been investigated on
indomethacin-induced
ulcers in rats. Compared with a control group (
indomethacin alone),
opipramol decreased
indomethacin-induced
ulcers significantly at all doses used (52%, 71% and 76% respectively).
Opipramol also significantly increased the
glutathione (GSH),
superoxide dismutase (SOD) and
nitric oxide (NO) levels in the stomach tissue, all of which were decreased in the control group given only
indomethacin. All doses of
opipramol also significantly decreased
myeloperoxidase (MPO),
malondialdehyde (MDA) and
catalase (CAT) levels in stomach tissue compared to the control. In conclusion, the activation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic
antioxidant mechanisms, as well as the inhibition of some toxic
oxidant mechanisms, appear to play a role in the antiulcer effect of
opipramol. This new indication for
opipramol prompts a rethinking about the possible clinical application of
opipramol, particularly for
peptic ulcer patients also presenting depression.