Anthocyanins accelerate the healing of naproxen-induced gastric ulcer in rats by activating antioxidant enzymes via modulation of Nrf2

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of anthocyanins enable them to inhibit the pathogenesis of gastric ulcer, but little is currently known about the underlying mechanisms behind this function. In this study, both in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to investigate the palliative effects of anthocyanins on gastric ulcer, which was experimentally induced in rats by administrating 80 mg/kg (body weight) of naproxen. Our results indicated ROS generated after administrating naproxen were effectively eliminated by anthocyanins treatment, thereby relieving oxidative stress. Also, the anthocyanins treatment resulted in a significantly reduced TBARS level and increased levels of antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Furthermore, anthocyanins increased the Nrf2 as well as GI-GPx activities via nuclear translocation and binding of Nrf2 to the antioxidant response elements (ARE) regions in the GI-GPx promoter. Thus, anthocyanins seem to be appropriate target for gastric ulcer therapy.