Objective: To investigate the protective effects of water extract of Coptis chinensis and Evodia rutaecarpa on ethanol-induced acute gastric lesions in rats. Methods: In this study

animals were intraperitoneally pretreated with vehicle (normal saline) or Coptis chinensis and Evodia rutaecarpa water extract at 1050 (6 ∶1)

1800 (6 ∶6)

1050 (1 ∶6) mg·kg-1. Three hours later

gastric lesions were induced by topical application of 50% ethanol for 10 min. The length index of gastric lesions were determined by morphological analysis in a gastric intubatton model. The rat gastric transmucosal potential difference (PD) was recorded continuously by ex-vivo chamber technique. The pH value and H+ content of gastric perfusate were mesured by pH meter and pH-stat technique

respectively. Results: Compared with control

Coptis chinensis and Evodia rutaecarpa water extract (1 ∶6) accelerated PD recovery and reduced gastric morphologic lesions. Coptis chinensis and Evodia rutaecarpa water extract (1 ∶6) elevated H+ content and reduced pH value. Coptis chinensis and Evodia rutaecarpa water extract (6 ∶6) reduced gastric morphologic lesions. Conclusions: Coptis chinensis and E. rutaecarpa water extract (1 ∶6) showed effectively protective actions on ethanol-induced acute gastric lesions in rats

and the gastroprotective mechanisms maybe due to the strengthening action on gastric mucosal lining and the inhibition of acid backdiffusion. This investigation also indicated that E. rutaecarpa maybe have a critical role in gastroprotective effect.