Papain reduces gastric acid secretion induced by histamine and other secretagogues in anesthetized rats.
We studied the effect of papain on rats' gastric acid secretion and found that: 1. Feeding of latex of unripe papaya fruit significantly reduced gastric acid secretion induced by methacholine; 2. Feeding of crystalline papain in doses of 3.2 mg/kg reduced gastric acid secretion induced by histamine, methacholine and tetragastrin; 3. The reduction of gastric acid secretion was observed as early as 2 hours after papain feeding, lasted up to 48 hours, and waned within 96 hours; 4. Intraperitoneal injection of papain had no effect on acid secretion. These results led us to believe tha the effect of papain on gastric acid secretion is a local one acting directly on the gastric mucosa, and this local effect of a single dose of papain is reversible, causing no permanent damage to the mucosa.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006632:Histamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D008688:Methacholine Compounds / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010206:Papain / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects
D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D008688:Methacholine Compounds; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D006632:Histamine; D010206:Papain