Studies of gastric mucosa regeneration and safety promoted by Mouriri pusa treatment in acetic acid ulcer model.
BACKGROUND
Mouriri pusa Gardn. (Melastomataceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used by people living in the Cerrado to treat gastrointestinal disturbances. This medicinal plant has shown intense gastroprotective action in rodent gastric lesion, but still there are no data about its healing effect on gastric mucosa.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the methanolic extract (MeOH) obtained from Mouriri pusa leaves for its effect on the cicatrisation process of gastric ulcer.


METHODS
The healing effects on gastric ulcers inducted by subserosal injection of acetic acid were evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic measures, immunohistochemistry and cell counting in rats treated with MeOH extract of Mouriri pusa (250 mg/kg, p.o./daily) for 14 or 30 days. The toxicity of Mouriri pusa was also evaluated by body and organ weight measure and clinical biochemical parameters.


RESULTS
Mouriri pusa treatments lasting 14 and 30 days showed elevated mucus secretion (PAS) and thicker regenerative gastric mucosa, denoting increased cell proliferation, which was confirmed by PCNA immunohistochemical analysis. Moreover, there was important cell recruitment (neutrophils and mast cells) to the site of the ulcer, which is an important factor in ulcer healing. No toxic effect was observed in all parameters evaluated. Phenolic compounds present in the MeOH extract like tannins, flavonoids and epicatechin are the probable agents involved in the healing effects of this medicinal plant.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings showed a potential effect of Mouriri pusa in increasing regeneration of damaged gastric mucosa with safety for human use.
Vasconcelos
P C P
PC
Departmento de Morfologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rubião Junior s/n, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
Kushima
H
H
Andreo
M
M
Hiruma-Lima
C A
CA
Vilegas
W
W
Takahira
R K
RK
Pellizzon
C H
CH
D019342:Acetic Acid; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D035322:Melastomataceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D009093:Mucus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019342:Acetic Acid