Gastric ulcer is a common gastrointestinal disorder frequently caused by the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as indomethacin, which can induce gastric mucosal damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Although conventional treatments are available, there remains a considerable need for alternative therapies with favorable safety profiles. This study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective and antioxidant properties of curcumin, tahini, and their combined effects against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats using biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, and parameters of liver and kidney function. The rats were divided into six groups and administered curcumin, tahini, or other treatments before ulcer induction with indomethacin. Indomethacin treatment caused acute gastric mucosal injury, increased oxidative stress, as indicated by elevated MDA and reduced SOD, CAT, and GSH levels, altered gastric acid secretion, and impaired liver and kidney function, as demonstrated by increased ALT, AST, urea, and creatinine levels. Curcumin and tahini both showed significant protective effects by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation while improving organ function. Their combination was the most effective treatment, restoring antioxidant and prostaglandin E2 levels to near or above normal values, substantially alleviating gastric mucosal damage, and improving liver and kidney function. This synergistic interaction may be explained by the enhanced bioavailability of curcumin in the lipid-rich medium provided by tahini. The findings suggest that the combination of curcumin and tahini possesses potent gastroprotective and antioxidant properties, making it a promising therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers while providing systemic protection against toxicity.
Gastric ulcer is a common gastrointestinal disorder frequently caused by the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as indomethacin, which can induce gastric mucosal damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Although conventional treatments are available, there remains a considerable need for alternative therapies with favorable safety profiles. This study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective and antioxidant properties of curcumin, tahini, and their combined effects against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats using biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, and parameters of liver and kidney function. The rats were divided into six groups and administered curcumin, tahini, or other treatments before ulcer induction with indomethacin. Indomethacin treatment caused acute gastric mucosal injury, increased oxidative stress, as indicated by elevated MDA and reduced SOD, CAT, and GSH levels, altered gastric acid secretion, and impaired liver and kidney function, as demonstrated by increased ALT, AST, urea, and creatinine levels. Curcumin and tahini both showed significant protective effects by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation while improving organ function. Their combination was the most effective treatment, restoring antioxidant and prostaglandin E2 levels to near or above normal values, substantially alleviating gastric mucosal damage, and improving liver and kidney function. This synergistic interaction may be explained by the enhanced bioavailability of curcumin in the lipid-rich medium provided by tahini. The findings suggest that the combination of curcumin and tahini possesses potent gastroprotective and antioxidant properties, making it a promising therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers while providing systemic protection against toxicity.
