Effect of Eugenol on Gastric Function in Rats

抄録

Eugenol, an active principle of clove, is an effective secretagogue in rats, causing dose-dependent augmentation of gastric secretion. Eugenol, when administered intragastrically at 100μg/kg body weight, stimulated maximum secretion of gastric free acid and serum pepsinogen. However, at higher concentrations it had an inhibitory effect on gastric secretion. Long-term oral treatment with eugenol at a dose of 100μg/kg body weight per day for three weeks significantly increased the serum pepsinogen levels, which positively correlated with gastric free acid secretion. The levels of serum mucoprotein and α-antitrypsin remained unchanged. Histopathological examination of the stomach of experimental animals did not show any damage to mucosal cells. Thus, stimulation of gastric secretion at a low concentration of eugenol, i. e., 100μg/kg body weight and below, should facilitate digestion.