The effects of alpha-pinene on the Nrf2-HO1 signaling pathway in gastric damage in rats

Background Alpha-pinene (α-pinene) is a monoterpene with gastroprotective activity. We evaluated the gastroprotective effect of α-pinene in the gastric damage model with ethanol. Methods We evaluated the macroscopic evaluation of the stomach cavity, alteration in pH, mRNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2- related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels, and histopathological changes. Results Pretreatment with α-pinene (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) before oral administration of ethanol reduced gastric mucosal damage by increasing the percentage of ulcer inhibition. Alpha-pinene also increased gastric pH similar to omeprazole. In addition, the histopathological examination showed that in the groups pretreated with α-pinene 50 and 100 mg/kg, and omeprazole20 mg/kg, the lesions were less than the control group. Moreover, α- pinene 10, 50, 100, and omeprazole 20 mg/kg upregulated the NRF2 and HO1. Conclusions Our results show that pretreatment with α-pinene is effective in reducing ethanol-induced gastric damage through regulation of Nrf2/HO-1.