title: Gastroprotective effect of Cissus sicyoides (Vitaceae): involvement of microcirculation, endogenous sulfhydryls and nitric oxide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cissus sicyoides L. is a medicinal plant popularly known in Brazil against various diseases and the research interest in this plant is justifiable because of its potential medicinal value in stomachache and gastric ulcer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The methanolic extract obtained from the leaves of Cissus sicyoides (Cc) was evaluated for the ability to protect the gastric mucosa against injuries caused by necrotizing agents (0.3 M HCl/60% EtOH, absolute ethanol, piroxicam and pylorus ligature) in rodents. We also evaluated microcirculation, antioxidant action and participation of NO (nitric oxide) and sulfhydryls (SH) groups in the Cc gastroprotective action.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administration of Cc significantly reduced gastric lesions induced by different ulcerogenic agents in rodents. This extract administered by oral route significantly increased gastric volume without exerting antisecretory effect. The Cc effect involved an increase of the defense mechanism of the gastrointestinal mucosa such as NO and SH groups that prevent and attenuate the ulcer process. The Cc also has antioxidant property against oxidative stress but does not modify microcirculation response in gastric mucosa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results confirmed the traditional use of Cissus sicyoides for the treatment of gastric ulcer.
authors.affiliation: Physiology Department, Biosciences Institute, CP 510,UNESP-São Paulo State University, 18618-000 Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Paula Ferreira
authors.forename: Catarine Massucato
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Nishijima
authors.forename: Leonardo Norobu
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Seito
authors.forename: Anne Ligia
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Dokkedal
authors.forename: Mônica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lopes-Ferreira
authors.forename: Luiz Cláudio
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Di Stasi
authors.forename: Wagner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vilegas
authors.forename: Clélia Akiko
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hiruma-Lima
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D032422:Cissus; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008833:Microcirculation; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D009569:Nitric Oxide