In vitro and in vivo anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of Calophyllum brasiliense Camb.
OBJECTIVE
Calophyllum brasiliense (Camb.) is a medicinal tree that grows particularly in the hilly and forested regions of Brazil. Preparations from its stem bark are popular remedies for the treatment of chronic ulcers. Since earlier investigations on bark extracts evidenced gastroprotective and gastric acid inhibitory properties, this study evaluated the effects of hydroethanolic extract (HEECb) and the dichloromethanic fraction (DCMF), from Calophyllum brasiliense stem bark, against Helicobacter pylori, in vitro and in vivo.


METHODS
The in vitro assays were performed using the disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. The test substances were evaluated in vivo taking into account the delay in the gastric ulcer healing in Wistar rats, infected with Helicobacter pylori.


RESULTS
DCMF appeared the most active and potent in vitro against Helicobacter pylori growth with an MIC of 31 microg/mL. In the in vivo assays, rats ulcerated by acetic acid, and inoculated with Helicobacter pylori showed a marked delay in ulcer healing. Treatment with HEECb (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and DCMF (100 and 200 mg/kg) reduced the ulcerated area in a dose-dependent manner. While DCMF, at 200 mg/kg, increased the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level, both HEECb and DCMF decreased the number of urease-positive animals, as confirmed by the reduction of Helicobacter pylori presence in histopathological analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the antiulcer activity of Calophyllum brasiliense is due, in part, to its anti-Helicobacter pylori action, validating the popular use of this species.
Souza
Maria do Carmo
Mdo C
Department of Basic Science in Health, Faculty of Medical Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Av. Fernando Correa da Costa s/n, Coxipó, Cuiabá, MT CEP: 78060-900, Brazil. macsouza@hotmail.com
Beserra
Angela Márcia Selhorst
AM
Martins
Dely Cristina
DC
Real
Vânia Villa
VV
Santos
Rogério Alexandre Nunes Dos
RA
Rao
Vietla Satyanarayana
VS
Silva
Regilane Matos da
RM
Martins
Domingos Tabajara de Oliveira
DT
D019342:Acetic Acid; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001938:Brazil; D029759:Calophyllum / Q000737:chemistry*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018547:Plant Stems; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014510:Urease / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014510:Urease; D015232:Dinoprostone; D019342:Acetic Acid