The effects of acetyl shikonin isolated from Onosma armeniacum on oxidative stress in ethanol-induced ulcer model of rats

Aim: We investigated the effects of acetyl shikonin isolated from Onosma armeniacum on ethanol-induced gastric injury (ulcer) and on oxidant antioxidant parameters in the gastric tissue of rats. Materials and methods: Eighteen albino Wistar male rats were divided into 3 different experimental groups. Group 1 (n = 6) was the control group, group 2 (n = 6) was the ethanol group, and group 3 (n = 6) was the acetyl shikonin + ethanol group. The animals in group 3 were given ethanol (1 mL, 50% v/v) 30 min after acetyl shikonin (40 mg/kg) administration by orogastric tube. Results: The lowest mean nitric oxide level; the lowest superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase activities; and the highest malondialdehyde level and myeloperoxidase activity were obtained in group 2. It was observed that acetyl shikonin increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the level of nitric oxide and decreased the level of malondialdehyde and the activity of myeloperoxidase in group 3. In histopathological evaluation, minimal lymphocyte infiltration and edema were seen but no ulcerations were observed in group 3. Conclusion: The data revealed that the antiulcer effect of acetyl shikonin might be due to an increase in antioxidant enzyme activity and nitric oxide levels, and a decrease in malondialdehyde levels and myeloperoxidase activity.