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Neoglaziovia variegata (Arruda) Mez (Bromeliaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly known as "caroá." The leaves are made up of highly resistant fibers, which is of great commercial value to the handicraft and textile industry. Some studies have demonstrated that ethanolic extract of N. variegata have gastroprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the gastroprotective activity and cytoprotective mechanisms of ethyl acetate (Nv-AcOEt), hexane (Nv-Hex), and chloroform (Nv-CHCl 3 ) fractions of N. variegata leaves. The gastroprotective activity of Nv-AcOEt, Nv-Hex, and Nv-CHCl 3 was evaluated using the ethanol and ethanol/HCl-induced gastric injury model. To elucidate the gastroprotective mechanisms, the functions of prostaglandins (PGs), nitric oxide (NO), and K ATP channels were evaluated. In addition, the nonprotein sulfhydryl groups and the mucus content in the gastric tissues were analyzed. All fractions of N. variegata leaves at oral doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg significantly decreased ethanol and ethanol/HCl-induced gastric lesions, leading to gastroprotection, accompanied by an increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) and gastric mucus. Gastroprotective activity of Nv-AcOEt was inhibited after pretreatment with ibuprofen and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG). Gastroprotective effect of Nv-Hex and Nv-CHCl 3 was also inhibited after pretreatment with L-NOARG and with glibenclamide. The results indicate that N. variegata (Arruda) Mez exhibits promising gastroprotective activity with the possible participation of NO, PGs, mucus, sulfhydryl groups, and K ATP .

Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire (Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for treatment of gastric ulcer. This study evaluated the ulcer-healing activity of the hydroalcoholic fraction of C. macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire leaves ( Cm -FHA) and the tea of the leaves of C. macrophyllum ( Cm -tea), as well as the possible action of Cm -FHA, through in vitro models. Leaves of C. macrophyllum were dried and powdered to obtain the Cm -FHA. Subsequently, the Cm -FHA was characterized phytochemically and biologically. Besides, Cm -tea was prepared. The gastric healing effects of Cm -tea and Cm -FHA were analyzed using the model of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats. The human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell line was employed as an in vitro model. Cm -tea promoted a protective effect against gastric ulcers induced by absolute ethanol. Cm -FHA or Cm -tea (100 mg/kg/7 days) exhibited a significant healing effect on ulcers induced by acetic acid. In the histological analysis, gastric mucosa treated with Cm -FHA or Cm -tea advanced restoration of the mucosal epithelium. In vitro , lower concentrations of Cm -FHA stimulated cell proliferation in the BrdU assay and cell migration. Cm -tea and Cm -FHA present a significant gastric healing effect in in vivo and in vitro models.