ABSTRACT
In the present work, nabumetone [Relifex]; a new non steroidal antiinflammatory drug is compared with the well established NSAIDS drugs; indomethacin and naproxen on gastric secretion and the incidence of gastric ulceration. Indomethacin and naproxen caused gastric ulcer in 100% of two groups of rats receiving the drugs. The mean ulcer score and index was 3.5 +/- 0.27 and 350 for the group receiving indomethacin while it was 2.5 +/- 0.27 and 250 for the naproxen group. On the other hand, rats receiving nabumetone showed only 33% incidence of ulceration, 0.33 +/- 0.26 for mean ulcer score and 10.89 was the ulcer index. In addition, there is an increase in the mean acid output and the mean acid concentration in the stomach of rats receiving indomethacin and naproxen compared to the control group. Rats treated with nabumetone showed decreased mean acid concentration and output. These results may be attributed to a less effect of nabumetone on the gastric prostaglandin synthetase inhibitory enzyme, in addition to a lack of its effect on bleeding time and platelet function