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Qualea grandiflora is one of the species widely used in folk medicine to treat gastric ulcers in Cerrado of the central region of Brazil. The hydroalcoholic extract of bark (HE) of Qualea grandiflora was investigated for their ability to prevent and heal lesions in the gastric mucosa. The oral administration of HE exhibited antiulcer activity decreasing the ulcerative index induced by HCl/ethanol solution, indomethacin/bethanechol and stress. In the Shay model, results showed that HE (p.o.) only reduced the severity of gastric lesions without effects on pH, gastric acidity or volume. When given by intraduodenal route, HE changed the pH, but did not modify the other parameters of the gastric juice. These data were in accordance with those obtained when HE was administered orally for 14 days after gastric ulcers were induced by acetic acid in rats. HE presented healing process in subacute gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid in rats. Moreover, histological examinations showed the simple columnar epithelium, lamina propria with simple branched tubular glandules with dilated lumen and large amounts of mucus secretion. Phytochemical investigation of HE led to the detection of terpenes, steroids, saponins, phenolic compounds and tannins in this extract, which may be involved in the observed activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Qualea parviflora Mart. is a medicinal species commonly found in the Brazilian Cerrado biome. AIM OF THE STUDY: Based on ethnopharmacological data, methanolic extract from Qualea parviflora (QP) bark was evaluated for its antiulcer, analgesic, anti-hemorrhagic, mutagenic and anti-Helicobacter pylori activities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The gastroprotective action of the extract was evaluated in rodent experimental models (HCl/ethanol, ethanol or NSAID). We also evaluated mutagenic effect (Ames assay), anti-Helicobacter pylori, anti-hemorrhagic action, analgesic and inflammatory effects (hot-plate test and carrageenin-induced hind paw edema) of methanolic extract from Qualea parviflora. RESULTS: QP (500 mg/kg, p.o.) was able to protect gastric mucosa against HCl/ethanol solution (77%), absolute ethanol (97%), and also against injurious effect of NSAID (36%). When QP was challenged with sulfhydryl depletor compound, the gastroprotective action of extract was abolished. QP treatment was able to maintain the GSH level and show a concentration-dependent inhibition effect on the lipid peroxidation. QP present anti-Helicobacter pylori effect (MIC=75 microg/mL), anti-hemorrhagic and antidiarrheal action but not present analgesic or anti-inflammatory effect. CONCLUSION: methanolic extract from Qualea parviflora had gastroprotective effect related to the increase of gastric mucosa defensive factors such PGE(2) levels and maintain the basal gastric glutathione levels. The methanolic extract also showed anti-Helicobacter pylori activity, anti-hemorrhagic effect and antioxidant action, but absence of analgesic, mutagenic and toxic effects, a profile that adds safety to its use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The present study reveals the pharmacological action of Serjania erecta Radlk. (Family Sapindaceae), an important medicinal plant species used in the Brazilian Pantanal against gastric pain. The methanolic (Me) and chloroformic (Se) extracts obtained from leaves of S. erecta were challenged by a very strong necrotizing agent in rodents, absolute ethanol. Se was also confronted with a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester), a capsaicin cation channel transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 antagonist (ruthenium red), or a sulfhydryl-blocker (N-ethylmaleimide) to evaluate the participation of these cytoprotective factors in gastroprotection. In an in vivo experimental model, Me and Se presented several degrees of gastroprotective action without signs of acute toxicity. The best gastroprotective effect was restricted to all doses of Se. The mechanisms involving the gastroprotective action of Se are related to an augmented defense mechanism of the gastrointestinal mucosa consisting of sensory neurons, nitric oxide, and sulfhydryl groups that prevent and attenuate the ulcer process. The presence of polyisoprenoids in the Se explains the potent gastroprotective action of this medicinal species. Effective gastroprotective action and the absence of acute toxicity indicate this species may be a promising herbal drug against gastric disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cordia verbenacea is a medicinal plant popularly used in Brazil as anti-inflammatory, antiulcer and anti-rheumatic agent without detailed pharmacological and toxicological studies. AIM OF THE STUDY: The study was aimed to investigate the effects of Cordia verbenacea in antiulcer, analgesic and antioxidant assays, as well as to evaluate its toxic effects and phytochemical profile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Antiulcer activity of plant extract was evaluated using ethanol/HCl, ethanol and piroxican-induced gastric lesions methods. The pH, volume and total acid of gastric juice were determined by pylorus-ligated assay. Analgesic activity was evaluated by writhing, tail-flick and hot-plate tests. Antioxidant activity was determined by in vitro lipoperoxidation assay. Acute toxicity and number of deaths were evaluated by Hippocratic screening. RESULTS: The ethanol leaf extract shows a potent antiulcer activity in the ethanol/HCl and absolute ethanol-induced gastric lesions. The IC(50) value of plant extract on the lipid peroxidation was 76.11mug/ml. Preliminary phytochemical tests were positive for flavonoids, steroids, saponins, fixed acids, alkaloids and phenols. In the analgesic models the extract did not present any activity. CONCLUSIONS: Cordial verbenaceae showed a potent antiulcer activity at the dose of 125mg/kg and this effect may be associated with an improvement in stomach antioxidant mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]