title: Prophylactic and healing properties of a new anti-ulcer compound from Enantia chlorantha in rats.
abstract: Decoctions prepared from Enantia chlorantha are used in the traditional treatment of some forms of ulcers. We have tested the anti-ulcer actions of a novel protoberberine-type alkaloid (7,8,-dihydro-8-hydroxypalmatine (1)) obtained from the bark of E. chlorantha using the HCl/ethanol, absolute ethanol and pylorus ligation techniques. The healing effect on chronic acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer was also tested. 1 (50 and 100 mg/kg) dose-dependently inhibited the formation of gastric ulcers induced by HCl/ethanol (35-52% inhibition), absolute ethanol (46-53% inhibition) and pylorus ligation (38-62% inhibition). The prophylactic actions were associated with significant increases in gastric mucus production compared with the controls. The significant inhibition of pylorus-ligated ulcers occurred at gastric acid concentrations (83 mEq/l) previously known to induce severe gastric ulceration in rats. The ulcer-healing test showed significant macromorphological and histological acceleration of healing following 10-day treatment with 1 (40 - 80 mg/kg). The results show that 1 has no anti-secretory effects. The prophylactic anti-ulcer effects are associated with enhanced mucus production, which is an important factor in the mechanism of the local healing process of chronic gastric ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon.
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nyasse
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Enow-Orock
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wafo
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Forcha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts