Effect of Tamrabhasma, an Indian indigenous preparation of copper, on rat gastric mucosal resistance.

Tamrabhasma (TMB), an Indian indigenous preparation of copper, was studied for its effects on factors related to rat gastric mucosal resistance. Rats of either sex treated with TMB (2.5 mg/kg po, twice daily for 3 days) showed (i) increased mucosal sialomucin and fucose contents; (ii) decreased gastric juice DNA and protein; and (iii) no change in DNA and the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine in to mucosal cell DNA. aspirin treatment decreased both the sialomucin and fucose contents, and increased DNA and incorporation of [3H]-thymidine in to mucosal cell DNA. However, aspirin increased gastric juice DNA and protein contents. Since gastric juice DNA and the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into mucosal cell DNA indicate the rate of mucosal shedding and cell proliferation, the results indicate ways in which TMB may increase gastric mucosal resistance to damage.