Gastroprotection by Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang (TJ-43): possible mediation of nitric oxide but not prostaglandins or sulfhydryls.

Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang (TJ-43), a herbal medicine exerting gastroprotective action, was examined for its mechanism of action in rats. TJ-43 significantly inhibited gastric mucosal damage caused by absolute ethanol at doses over 500 mg/kg in a dose-dependent way. Pretreatment with indomethacin or with N-ethylmaleimide did not affect the gastroprotective effect of TJ-43. However, pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine partially but significantly reversed the protective effect of this drug. These findings suggest that the gastroprotective effect of TJ-43 occurs partly through nitric oxide but not through prostaglandins or sulfhydryls.