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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Mouriri elliptica Martius (Melastomataceae) is species reputed in folk medicine to heal gastric ulcer and gastritis., Aim of the Study: Methanolic extract (ME) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) from leaves of Mouriri elliptica were evaluated for their gastroprotective, healing, immunological, toxicological and anti-Helicobacter pylori activities., Material and Methods: The gastroprotective action of ME and EAF was evaluated in rodent experimental models and to elucidate mechanisms of action, the antisecretory action, involvements of NO, SH, PGE(2), anti-Helicobacter pylori action of ME was evaluated. We also used immunohistochemical (PCNA and COX-2) and immunomodulatory (murine peritoneal macrophages) assays to evaluate Mouriri elliptica effects., Results: ME present gastroprotective action without antisecretory effect. Otherwise, ME showed anti-Helicobacter pylori action (MIC=0.025mug/mL) and was able to inhibit NO production by macrophages. This species also accelerate the healing of ulcerated gastric mucosa by stimulating proliferation factors (PCNA), COX-2 and maintained basal PGE(2) level independent action of NSAID in gastric mucosa. The phytochemical investigation showed that this species possesses phenolic acid derivatives, acylglycoflavonoids and condensed tannins which probably influenced their pharmacological action., Conclusion: All these results suggest the efficacy and safety of Mouriri elliptica in combating and healing gastric ulcer.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomez) is a medicinal plant frequently cited in ethnopharmacological inventories of the central region of Brazil against gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhoea, ulcer, gastritis and stomach ache., Aim of the Study: The hydroalcoholic extract (HE) and infusion (BI) of Hancornia speciosa bark were investigated for their ability to prevent and heal rodent gastric ulcer., Materials and Methods: The preventive and healing action of both preparations of Hancornia speciosa were evaluated in experimental models in rodents that simulated this disease in human gastric mucosa., Results: BI did not exert gastroprotective effect, in contrast to HE (500mg/kg, p.o.) that decreased (p<0.05) the severity of gastric damage induced by HCl/ethanol (52%), indomethacin/bethanechol (51%), stress (52%) or pylorus ligature experiments (54%). HE increased (p<0.05) the pH and decreased acid output of gastric juice. This extract promoted increase of mucus amount (3.62mg/wt. tissue vs. 5.81mg/wt. tissue), healing action (67%) and displayed anti-Helicobacter pylori effect., Conclusions: The antiulcer action of Hancornia speciosa resulted in increase of gastric mucus formation and antioxidant properties of polymeric proanthocyanidins present in the bark composition of this medicinal plant.