Anti-ulcerogenic potential of lithospermic acid B on NSAID-induced gastric injury in rats

Background : Stomach ulceration is a common side effect of long-term NSAID use. Lithospermic acid B (LAB, sometimes identified as salvianolic acid B) is a phytochemical extracted from Salvia species and has been shown to possess strong antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-regenerative capacities. Objective : This research intended to assess the therapeutic effect of LAB on diclofenac-driven gastric injury in male rats. Methods : Forty rats (n = 10/group) were arbitrarily assigned to four groups as follows: normal control (DMSO), induction/model (single diclofenac 100 mg per kg + DMSO), LAB (LAB 20 mg per kg daily), and esomeprazole (Eso; 20 mg per kg each day) for 2 weeks. Results : Diclofenac remarkably (p < 0.05) raised MDA and LPO levels 2.6 and 2.3 times, correspondingly (p < 0.05), while decreasing SOD and CAT activity by 48% and 42%, respectively. LAB treatment resulted in a substantial decrement of MDA and LPO production (45% and 39%), while restoring SOD and CAT activities back to the control (p < 0.05). It further reduced IL-6 (−52%) and increased IL-10 (+63%), in addition to the marked increase of VEGF (+57%) and HGF (+49%) versus diclofenac induction. A marked reduction of mucosal sloughing, edema, and vascular congestion was supported by histopathological outcomes. Conclusion : The pro-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant capacities of LAB suggest that it offers effective defense against gastric damage caused by NSAIDs. These results validate LAB as a potential natural treatment for NSAID-evoked stomach ulcers.