Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To investigate the gastroprotective effects of Acanthopanax senticosus leaves(ASLs)extrusion on acute gastric mucosal lesion in rats induced by compound 48/80(C48/80).METHODS:Rats were divided into six groups:normal;C48/80-induced gastric lesion control;gastric lesion positive control(famotidine 4 mg/kg);gastric lesion administered with two levels of extruded ASLs(ASLE,40 and 200 mg/kg);and gastric lesion treated with ASLs(ASL 200 mg/kg).Mucus secretion/damage was determined by immunohistological staining.Immunofluorescence and western blotting were performed to determine gastric mucosal Bax and Bcl-2 expression.Gastric mucosal oxidative-stress-related enzymes and malondialdehyde were determined.RESULTS:C48/80-induced mucus depletion and inflammation in the gastric mucosa were significantly attenuated by ASLs.The increased serum serotonin and histamine concentrations in C48/80-treated rats were also attenuated by ASLs.Gastric mucosal Bax protein expression was increased and Bcl-2 expression was decreased after C48/80 treatment,and ASLs ameliorated Bax and Bcl-2 expression.The extrusion process significantly augmented the effects of ASLs in a dosedependent manner.ASLEs at 200 mg/kg normalized mucus damage/secretion,C48/80-induced increases of mucosal myeloperoxidase activity(index of inflammation),xanthine oxidase,and malondialdehyde content(index of lipid peroxidation).The effects of ASLs on Bax and Bcl-2expression were also enhanced by extrusion.Furthermore,these effects of ASLEs at 200 mg/kg were similar to those of famotidine,a histamine H2-receptor antagonist commonly used to treat gastric ulcers.CONCLUSION:ASLEs prevented acute gastric mucosal lesion progression induced by C48/80,possibly by inducing mucus production,and reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in gastric mucosa through an anti-apoptotic mechanism.

Key words: Acanthopanax senticosus leaves, Extrusion, Compound 48/80, Gastric mucosal lesion