title: Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. mucilages show cytoprotective effect on gastric mucosa in rat.
abstract: Opuntia ficus indica cladodes possess a protective action against ethanol-induced ulcer in the rat. The major components of cladodes are carbohydrate polymers, mainly mucilages and pectin. To clarify the cytoprotective effects of cladodes on experimental ethanol-induced ulcer in rat, mucilages and pectin were extracted and were administered instead of cladodes. The above mentioned effects induced by cladodes may be attributed to mucilages, and not significantly to pectin.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaco-Biological Department, School of Pharmacy, University of Messina, Vill. SS.Annunziata, Messina, Italy. emgalati@unime.it
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Galati
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Monforte
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miceli
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mondello
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Taviano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galluzzo
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Tripodo
mesh_terms: D000269:Adhesives / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D029747:Opuntia / Q000737:chemistry*; D010368:Pectins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010368:Pectins