Effects of Coptidis Rhizoma Herbal Acupuncture Extract on the Acute Gastric Mucosal Lesion Progression Induced by Compound 48/80 in Rats

Objectives : Coptidis Rhizoma has been used for stomach disease. However, its property is so cold that it might be avoided to prescribe for the elderly and the infirm having indigestion or diarrhea. Accordingly, the present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Coptidis Rhizoma herbal acupuncture extract against acute gastric mucosal lesions induced by compound 48/80 in rats. Methods : The Coptidis Rhizoma herbal acupuncture (CRHA) was injected in Choksamni and Chungwan 1 h before compound 48/80 treatment. The animals were sacrificed under anesthesia 3 h after compound 48/80 treatment. The stomachs were removed and the amount of gastric adherent mucus, gastric mucosal hexosamine, SOD, XO, TBARS and histological examination were performed. Results : The decline of gastric adherent mucus, gastric mucosal hexosamine and the histological defects of gastric mucus were significantly protected by CRHA treatment. Gastric adherent mucus in control group was reduced to $38.2{\pm}5.0%$. CRHA groups significantly protected the loss of mucus to $77.5{\pm}4.9%$. Mucosal hexosamine content showed similar patterns. Mucosal hexosamine content in control group was reduced to $45.2{\pm}6.2%$. CRHA groups significantly protected the loss of mucus to $83.0{\pm}7.0%$. The changes of gastric mucosal SOD and TBARS were recovered by CRHA treatment as well. Conclusions : CRHA showed the protective effects on the acute gastric mucosal lesions induced by compound 48/80 in rats. These results suggest that CRHA may have protective effects on the gastritis.