Beneficial interaction of pycnogenol with indomethacin in rats.

Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is responsible for the therapeutic effects of indomethacin, while inhibition of the COX-1 enzyme and oxidative stress are responsible for its gastro-toxic effects. It has been reported that pycnogenol increases the expression of COX-1, suppresses the expression rate of COX-2 and oxidative stress. Our aim in this study is to investigate the antiinflammatory activities of indomethacin, pycnogenol, and their combination (PI) in rats and to examine their effects on stomach tissue.