Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and indomethacin (IND) are the most commonly prescribed for inflammation or pain. However, widespread use causes several adverse effects, such as gastric ulcers, upper gastric system bleeding, and erosions. Carnosic acid (CA) is an important natural antioxidant found in rosemary (Rosmarinus essentials) and exhibits a protective effect by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of CA on IND-induced gastric ulceration. Wistar male rats received CA (100 mg/kg) or esomeprazole (ESP) (20 mg/kg, standard drug) by oral gavage for 14 days, after that gastric ulceration was induced by oral administration of 100 mg/kg IND. CA pretreatment attenuated both gross morphological lesions and histopathological alterations. CA strongly reduced IND-induced oxidative stress, verified by a decrease in MDA (p < 0.001) and TOS levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, an IND-dependent increase in CAT (p < 0.001) and GPx (p < 0.01) activities, as well as a reduction in GSH levels (p < 0.01), were ameliorated by CA pretreatment. CA also attenuated inflammatory damage by suppressing IL-1β (p < 0.01), IL-6 (p < 0.01), and TNFα (p < 0.001) production and increasing Nrf2/HO-1 (p < 0.05) expressions. In conclusion, CA shows a gastroprotective effect by reducing oxidative stress and attenuating inflammation.
Keywords: carnosic acid; gastric ulcer; indomethacin; inflammation; oxidative stress.