Gastric cytoprotective activity of dehydroleucodine in rats. Role of nitric oxide

Previously we reported that dehydroleucodine (DhL), a sesquiterpene lactone, shows gastric and duodenal cytoprotective activity. The mechanism is not mediated by antiacid secretory action; DhL stimulated mucus production and indomethacin pretreatment reduced cytoprotective action. In the present study we demonstrated that the gastric cytoprotective effect is antagonized by the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, N-G-nitro-L-arginine. The inhibitory action of N-G-nitro-L-arginine is reversed by L-arginine, but not D-arginine. The findings suggest that NO is involved in the gastroprotection induced by DhL. (C) 1998 The Italian Pharmacological Society.