ABSTRACT
The effect of maprotiline [a tetracyclic antidepressant] in a dose of 5 mg/kg, orally for 21 days on gastric secretions and ethanol induced gastric ulcer was tested in rats. Maprotiline decreased the volume, free and total HCI acid concentration and peptic activity. While it produced an increase in mucin content as compared with the control group. Moreover, Maprotiline pretreatment [5 mg/kg, daily for 21 days orally] decreased the ulcer index of ethanol induced ulcer by 59.2%. The data suggest that Maprotiline in the tested dose had acid-pepsin antisecretory effect and ulcer protective activity against ethanol induced ulcer. These effects may be mediated through anticholinergic, antihistaminergic and the possible antidopaminergic effects of Maprotiline