Anti-ulcer activity of carbenoxolone and ISF 3401 on PGE2 release in rat gastric mucosa.

We have investigated the ability of carbenoxolone and ISF 3041, a new carbenoxolone derivative, to protect the rat gastric and intestinal mucosa against lesions induced by acetylsalicyclic acid (ASA) and indomethacin. Moreover, we determined the capacity of the rat gastric mucosa to release PGE2 both in vitro and ex vivo, in the presence or absence of carbenoxolone or its analogs. These compounds are effective against lesions induced by ASA and intestinal damage induced by indomethacin. The amount of PGE2 obtained from incubated rat gastric mucosal pieces by in vitro and ex vivo indicate that carbenoxolone and ISF 3401 cause a concentration related increase of PGE2 with exception of the highest concentration. Increased prostaglandin content of gastric mucosa can partly explain the gastric and intestinal protection of these compounds and additional mechanisms could be involved in this action.