The Effect of Sea Grapes (Caulerpa cylindrica) to Gastric Inflammatory Cell Infiltration Score and Catalase Activity in Indomethacin-induced Wistar Rats

Abstract

Fitri Handajani, Sulistiana Prabowo

Introduction: Indomethacin works by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase enzyme resulting in the reduction of prostaglandins formation which negatively affecting the ability of the gastric mucosa to maintain its integrity. Damage of the gastric tissue and the subsequent inflammatory response in association with increase in oxidant compounds promote oxidative stress and oxidative damage of gastric tissue. This study aims to determine the protective effect of sea grape extract to indomethacin-induced Wistar rat gastric inflammation and catalase activity.
Methods: Four groups of rats (8 rats/group) received: 1) no treatment; 2) Indomethacin 30 mg/kg BW/day to day 7; 3) Indomethacin 30 mg/kg BW/day to day 7 + sea grape extract (Caulerpa cylindrica) 1g/100g BW/day from day 8 to 21; 4) Indomethacin 30 mg/kg BW/day to day 7 + sea grape extract 2g/100g BW/day from day 8 to 21. On day 22, all rats were sacrificed, and gastric tissue inflammatory scores and gastric tissue catalase activity were examined.
Results: The result of this study showed that indomethacin significantly increased (p=0.001) the inflammatory cell infiltration score (mean 1 vs 4). Both doses of sea grape extract significantly reduced (p=0.004 and p=0.001) the inflammatory cell infiltration score in indometacin-induced gastric inflammation (mean 4 vs 2.875 and 4 vs 2.375 subsequently). Indomethacin significantly decreased (p= 0.001) gastric tissue catalase activity (960.8+8.32 U/μl vs 942+2.03 U/μl). Both doses of sea grape extract significantly increased (p=0.001) indometacin-induced catalase activity (942+2.03 U/μl vs 957+2.45 U/μl and 942+2.03 U/μl vs 964+2.17 U/μl subsequently).
Conclusion: Sea grape extract offers protective effect by significantly decreased gastric inflammatory cell infiltration score and increased the gastric tissue catalase activity in indomethacin treated rat.