STUDY OF ANTIULCER ACTIVITY OF ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS IN EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED GASTRIC ULCERS IN RATS

Background: Peptic ulcer is one of the common diseases affecting the mankind. Many studies reveal co-occurrence of both peptic ulcer and hypertension in humans. So, it might be beneficial to choose an optimal drug that will target both these conditions. The role of renin-angiotensin system in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer is well known. AT receptor antagonists which prevent binding of AT-II to AT₁ receptors, have been thought to be implicated in protection of gastric mucosa against development of ulcers.

Objective: To study the antiulcer activity of telmisartan and candesartan in gastric ulcers induced by pylorus ligation method and indomethacin induced ulcer method in albino rats.

Material and methods: Antiulcer activity of telmisartan and candesartan was tested against the standard antiulcer drug ranitidine, using two experimental gastric ulcer models; pylorus ligation method and indomethacin induced ulcer method using six albino rats for each drug and each ulcer model. Parameters used for studying the antiulcer activity were free and total acidity of the gastric contents in pylorus ligation method and ulcer index in both the models.

Conclusion: The present study provides evidence that AT-II AT₁ antagonists play a role in protection against gastric ulcers in both the experimental models. This concept may provide a new path to develop important therapies for effectively treating two concurrently occurring diseases i.e., hypertension and peptic ulcer, with a single drug.