Antiulcer and gastroprotective effects of solon, a synthetic flavonoid derivative of sophoradin. Role of endogenous prostaglandins.

Solon is a synthetic isoprenyl flavonoid derived from sophoradin which is isolated from the root of an ancient Chinese plant. Solon was administered orally or intraperitoneally to rats. It inhibited dose dependently gastric ulcers produced by acidified aspirin, water immersion and restraint stress. Solon was also gastroprotective for the stomach as it reduced dose dependently the gastric necrotic lesions induced by absolute ethanol given orally. The degree of gastroprotection decreased with time, the optimal effects occurring 60-90 min after oral administration. Pretreatment with indomethacin partly prevented the gastroprotective effects of Solon. When given alone to fasted rats, Solon increased dose dependently the mucosal content of prostaglandins (PG), suggesting that the protective effects of this drug may be mediated at least in part by endogenous PG.