Gastric Cytoprotection of the Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Sesquiterpene, β-Caryophyllene

Abstract

The gastric cytoprotective effect of β-caryophyllene (1), an anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene, was investigated in rats. The oral administration of β-caryophyllene to rats significantly inhibited gastric mucosal injuries induced by necrotizing agents such as absolute ethanol and 0.6 N HCl, although it failed to prevent water immersion stress- and indomethacin-induced gastric lesions. In addition, this compound hardly affected the secretion of gastric acid and pepsin. Thus, β-caryophyllene elicited anti-inflammatory effects without any indication of gastric mucosal damage typical of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Furthermore, this compound manifested cytoprotective effects, rendering the two-dimensional efficacious β-caryophyllene to be a clinically safe and potentially useful agent.