Hancornia speciosa: indications of gastroprotective, healing and anti-Helicobacter pylori actions.

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.