Effect of dissolution profile and (-)-alpha-bisabolol on the gastrotoxicity of acetylsalicylic acid.

The effect of particle size and (-)-alpha-bisabolol on the gastric toxicity produced by acetylsalicylic acid (AAS) was studied in rats. AAS crystals of size 0.5-0.4, 0.2-0.05 mm and AAS pellets were administered orally (dose 200 mg/kg) to rats. The effect of particle size on gastric toxicity was not significant (P < 0.05). Small AAS crystals (0.2-0.05 mm) were granulated with ethanol to produce pellets (0.5-0.4 mm). The resultant pellets were less ulcerogenic than AAS crystals (P < 0.05). The pelletization process improves the wetting process of AAS crystals and for this reason produces a faster dissolution profile of AAS. When (-)-alpha-bisabolol, a natural essential oil obtained from camomile oil, was administered orally (dose 0.8-80 mg/kg) with AAS (dose 200 mg/kg), a significant (P < 0.05) protective effect was found. Some possible mechanisms of protection are suggested for (-)-alpha-bisabolol.