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Objectives Açaí (Euterpe oleracea) is widely consumed in Brazil and known for its numerous health-beneficial properties. This study investigated the gastroprotective potential of the dried açaí berries extract (DAE). Methods Dried açaí berries extract effect was evaluated against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Its ability to regulate antioxidant defenses and reduce inflammatory parameters was evaluated in the ulcerated tissues. The scavenger capability of DAE was assessed by DPPH assay, and phytochemical composition was accessed by UHPLC. Key findings The extract showed radical scavenger activity in vitro (IC50 = 210 µg/ml) and gastroprotective effect in vivo, reducing the ulcerated area by 83%, 67% and 48% at doses of 30 and 100 mg/kg (p.o) and 3 mg/kg (i.p), respectively, compared with vehicle group. Besides, DAE (100 mg/kg, p.o) increased the GSH content and GST activity in ulcerated mucosa. Animals treated with DAE showed normalized levels of SOD activity, elevated CAT activity and decreased MPO activity, as well as reduced TNF-α levels, compared with vehicle group. Peonidin-3-glucoside, peonidin-3-rutinoside, cyanidin-3,5-hexoside-pentoside, cyaniding-3-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-glucoside and pelargonidin-3-rutinoside were identified in DAE. Conclusions Our findings suggest that DAE reduces the inflammation and maintains the oxidative balance of gastric mucosa, therefore being a promising natural resource or useful nutraceutical to protect gastric mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Açaí (Euterpe oleracea) is widely consumed in Brazil and known for its numerous health‐beneficial properties. This study investigated the gastroprotective potential of the dried açaí berries extract (DAE). Methods: Dried açaí berries extract effect was evaluated against ethanol‐induced gastric ulcer in rats. Its ability to regulate antioxidant defenses and reduce inflammatory parameters was evaluated in the ulcerated tissues. The scavenger capability of DAE was assessed by DPPH assay, and phytochemical composition was accessed by UHPLC. Key findings: The extract showed radical scavenger activity in vitro (IC50 = 210 µg/ml) and gastroprotective effect in vivo, reducing the ulcerated area by 83%, 67% and 48% at doses of 30 and 100 mg/kg (p.o) and 3 mg/kg (i.p), respectively, compared with vehicle group. Besides, DAE (100 mg/kg, p.o) increased the GSH content and GST activity in ulcerated mucosa. Animals treated with DAE showed normalized levels of SOD activity, elevated CAT activity and decreased MPO activity, as well as reduced TNF‐α levels, compared with vehicle group. Peonidin‐3‐glucoside, peonidin‐3‐rutinoside, cyanidin‐3,5‐hexoside‐pentoside, cyaniding‐3‐glucoside, pelargonidin‐3‐glucoside and pelargonidin‐3‐rutinoside were identified in DAE. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that DAE reduces the inflammation and maintains the oxidative balance of gastric mucosa, therefore being a promising natural resource or useful nutraceutical to protect gastric mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Maytenus robusta Reissek (Celastraceae) is traditionally used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat gastric ulcer, as a substitute for M. ilicifolia , which is almost extinct. The gastroprotective properties of M. robusta were demonstrated previously using only preventive approaches, such as acute gastric ulcer models. However, the healing effect of M. robusta in gastric ulcers remains unclear. Aim of the study The current study was carried out to investigate the healing effectiveness of M. robusta hydroalcoholic extract (HEMR) from aerial parts in the acetic acid-induced chronic ulcer model and to determine its effect on cell proliferation, scavenging free radicals, and inflammatory and oxidative damage. Material and methods To evaluate the healing properties of HEMR in vivo, chronic gastric ulcer was induced in rats by 80% acid acetic. Next, different groups of animals ( n =6) were treated orally with vehicle (water plus 1% tween, 1 ml/kg), omeprazole (20 mg/kg), or HEMR (1–10 mg/kg), twice daily for 7 days. At the end of the treatment, the total ulcer area (mm 2 ) was measured and a sample of gastric tissue was taken for histological and histochemical analysis. Evaluation of GSH and LOOH levels, GST, SOD, CAT and MPO activity was also performed at the site of the lesion. In parallel, radical scavenging activity, cytoprotective effect, and cell proliferation activity in fibroblasts (L929 cells) were determined by in vitro trials. The antisecretory properties were evaluated using the pylorus ligature model in rats, and the anti- Helicobacter pylori activity was determined in vitro. Acute toxicity was evaluated by relative organ weight and biochemical parameters in serum. The prokinetic properties were also evaluated in mice. Results Oral administration of HEMR (10 mg/kg) reduced the gastric ulcer area by 53%, compared to the vehicle group (120.0±8.3 mm 2 ), the regeneration of gastric mucosa was evidenced in histological analysis. Moreover, HEMR treatment increased gastric mucin content and reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters at the site of the ulcer. In vitro, HEMR (1–1000 µg/ml) was able to scavenge free radical DPPH and promote cytoprotection against H 2 O 2 in fibroblasts at 0.1–100 µg/ml. Moreover, HEMR healing properties also were confirmed by enhancement of proliferation and coverage of scratched wounds in fibroblast monolayer. However, HEMR (10 mg/kg) by the intraduodenal route did not promote changes in volume, pH, total acidity or pepsin activity in the pylorus ligature model, and HEMR up to 2000 µg/ml also did not present considerable activity against H. pylori . In relation to gastrointestinal motility, HEMR (10 mg/kg, p.o) did not provoke alterations. It is also important to mention that oral administration of HEMR did not produce any sign of acute toxicity in animals. Conclusions The data here obtained show that M. robusta has evident ulcer healing potential, mainly through the strengthening of protective factors of gastric mucosa, such as mucus layer, antioxidant defenses and cell proliferation. Taking into account the advantages of cultivation and harvesting of M. robusta compared to M. ilicifolia , and the evidence presented here, it is plausible to conclude that hydroalcoholic extract obtained from aerial parts of M. robusta is an interesting source for the development of a phytotherapeutic formulation to treat gastric ulcer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae) is a native plant from the Americas, where it is also known as "guaçatonga" or "erva-de-bugre." Although its leaves have been commonly used to treat inflammation and gastrointestinal disorders in South America, the antiulcer effects of an aqueous extract from this medicinal plant, similar to popular use, have not to be investigated yet. This study evaluated the hypothesis that the aqueous extract a of C. sylvestris (AEC) prevents the gastric ulcers and accelerates the healing of ulcers already installed, by assessing ultrasound imaging, histological and biochemical analyses. Rats (females) were treated with AEC (3, 30 or 300 mg/kg) prior to the ethanol or piroxicam-induced gastric ulcers. The healing effect of AEC (300 mg/kg) was examined in 80% acetic acid-induced ulcer in rats, whereas the quality of healing was evaluated in recurrent 10% acetic acid-induced ulcer in mice with recurrence induced by interleukin 1β. To assess the responses of the lesions, in addition to the classical methods used to analyze gastroprotection (ex vivo), we also measured the gastric wall thickness (in vivo) using ultrasonography. After euthanasia, the extent of ulcer was determined and the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), nitrate, and the activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO), N-acetyl-β-D-glycosaminidase (NAG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were measured. The antisecretory activity of AEC was also examined based on pylorus ligated rats. Furthermore, gastric tissue samples were analyzed histologically, and phytochemical analyses of the C. sylvestris extract were parallelly performed. The AEC (30 or 300 mg/kg) prevented ulcers in the ethanol- and piroxicam-induced acute. Moreover, the AEC at a dose of 300 mg/kg also accelerated the gastric healing of acetic acid-induced ulcer in rats by 48% and the ultrasonography records shown a decrease in the wall thickness and the extent of edema of ulcerous lesions promoted by the extract. The gastric healing effect of AEC was also accompanied by reduced MPO and NAG activities at acetic acid-induced ulcer in rats; as well as was by the reduction in the nitrate and LOOH levels, the increase in mucin and SOD activity, and by a partial recovery of GSH levels. The AEC (300 mg/kg) minimized the ulcer recurrence in mice exposed to IL-1β, but the extract administration did not change pH or peptic activity of gastric juice in pylorus ligated rats. The results of this study provide convincing evidence for the therapeutic efficacy of C. sylvestris with respect to gastroprotection and indicate that ultrasound examination would be a potentially promising approach for evaluating gastroprotective effects in vivo. Collectively, our findings indicate that the gastric the gastroprotective and healing effects of aqueous extract C. sylvestris involve a reduction in acid secretion, promotion of the antioxidant system, reductions in the migration of neutrophils and mast cells, with a consequent lower inflammatory response, and the preservation of mucin. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]