Background:

Ursolic acid (UA) is found in many plants, and has been reported to have anti-protease, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective effects.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ursolic acid in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP).

Materials and methods:

Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to 4 equal groups: Sham, acute pancreatitis, treatment, and ursolic acid group.

Results:

Serum amylase levels in the AP and treatment groups were significantly higher than in the others (p < 0.05). In addition, serum IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in the AP group in comparison with the treatment group. Although pancreatic tissue total oxidant activity in the AP and treatment groups was similar, pancreatic tissue total antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the AP group.

Conclusions:

Damage to the pancreas and remote organs in AP was observed to be reduced by UA. In addition, oxidative stress was observed to be decreased by the effect of UA.