Effect of benidipine on experimental gastric ulcers in rats

Peptic ulcer has been reported to increase acid secretion and lead to oxidative stress. Benidipine is an antihypertensive drug with antioxidant properties. This study aims to investigate the effects of benidipine on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Four groups were designed in this study. Gastric ulcer was occurred with indomethacin in the first three groups. These groups were treated with famotidine, benidipine and distilled water respectively 5 minutes before indomethacin administration. The fourth group rats didn’t have gastric ulcer and they received only distilled water. Six hours after drug administration gastric tissue was extracted and macroscopic and biochemical examinations were performed. Damaged areas in the stomach of benidipine and famotidine receiving animal groups were smaller than the indomethacin received animals. Indomethacin elevated the levels of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase in the stomach tissue (p<0.0001), and also decreased glutathione, glutathione related enzymes and superoxide dismutase (p<0.0001). Benidipine may be useful in preventing the toxic effect of indomethacin on the stomach.