Abstract: AIM: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of danshenyin on acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer. METHODS: When SD rats with acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer were treated with danshenyin for 14 days, the ulcer index, the level of nitric oxide (NO) in serum, Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) in plasma and the content of gastric wall binding mucus was measured, the apoptosis index and the protein expressions of Bcl-2, EGFR at the ulcer margin mucosa were detected. RESULTS: Compared with model group, danshenyin significantly attenuated acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer healing and produced a significant rise in the level of NO in serum, PGE₂ in plasma and the content of gastric wall binding mucus. Danshenyin also decreased the number of epithelial apoptosis (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively,), meanwhile, the density and area of Bcl-2 and EGFR expression were markedly increased after the treatment with danshenyin, and danshenyin 7, 3.5 g·kg^-1 groups had more significance on it among three groups(P <0.01). CONCLUSION: Danshenyin plays a role in accelerating ulcer healing by gastric mucosal defensive factors and inhibiting apoptosis pathways, which may be one of its antiulcer action mechanisms.

Key words: danshenyin, gastric ulcer, nitric oxide, Prostaglandin E₂, apoptosis, EGFR