title: Byrsonima fagifolia: an integrative study to validate the gastroprotective, healing, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial and mutagenic action.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ethnopharmacological survey indicated leaves of Byrsonima fagifolia Nied. (Malpighiaceae) against gastrointestinal disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The methanolic extract from the leaves of Byrsonima fagifolia (denominated BF) was evaluated for toxic, mutagenic, gastroprotective, antidiarrheal, antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The preventive and healing action of BF against gastric ulcer was evaluated in experimental models in rodents. We evaluated immunomodulatory (by murine peritoneal macrophages), antidiarrheal (by induced diarrhea with castor oil and intestinal motility) and antibacterial action of BF against standard strain of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Helicobacter pylori. The safety of use of BF was also evaluated by mutagenic (Ames assay) and by analyses of toxicity parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phytochemical BF profile indicated the presence of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and radical-scavenging properties. BF significantly inhibited gastric lesions induced by ethanol and HCl/ethanol and endogenous mucosal sulphydryl groups (SHs) participated efficaciously in BF gastroprotection. BF blocked development of inflammation process and also has antidiarrheal actions. This extract accelerated the healing of the gastric ulcerated mucosa by stimulating proliferative factors and by increasing production of gastric mucus with no toxic action. The substances responsible for the protective action are concentrated in the ethyl acetate fraction that demonstrated no mutagenic action in vitro.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Byrsonima fagifolia presents gastroprotective, healing and antidiarrheal activities supporting previous claims that its traditional use by Brazilians can treat these gastrointestinal ailments.
authors.affiliation: São Paulo State University, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, cp 610, CEP 18618-000, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Zeila Pinheiro
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Raquel de Cássia
authors.initials: Rde C
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.forename: Talita Uliana
authors.initials: TU
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sannomiya
authors.forename: Clenilson Martins
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Lourdes Campaner
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.forename: Cláudia Helena
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Pellizzon
authors.forename: Lúcia Regina Machado
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Wagner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vilegas
authors.forename: Alba Regina Monteiro
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Souza Brito
authors.forename: Cássia Regina Primila
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Eliana Aparecida
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Varanda
authors.forename: Helen Pimenta
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: de Moraes
authors.forename: Taís Maria
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Bauab
authors.forename: Camila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carli
authors.forename: Iracilda Zeppone
authors.initials: IZ
authors.lastname: Carlos
authors.forename: Clélia Akiko
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hiruma-Lima