Spirulina ameliorates aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in albino mice by alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation

Aspirin is a commonly prescribed non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, but its prolonged use injures the gastric mucosa. The present study was carried out to evaluate the ameliorative effect of spirulina against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in albino mice. Gastric ulcer was induced by oral administration of aspirin (500 mg/kg bw). Spirulina (250 and 500 mg/kg bw) was given orally for 3 days after the induction of gastric ulcer. Spirulina ameliorated aspirin-induced gastric ulcer by improving the gross morphology, histology and mucous layer of gastric tissue, augmenting the endogenous enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) and the cytoprotective marker (COX-1), and by alleviating tissue levels of the lipid peroxidation marker (malondialdehyde) and inflammatory mediators (TNF-alpha, COX-2 and NO). In conclusion, spirulina has a therapeutic potential in aspirin-induced gastric injury by alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation.