Effect of Mouriri pusa tannins and flavonoids on prevention and treatment against experimental gastric ulcer.
OBJECTIVE
Mouriri pusa, popularly known as "manapuçá" or "jaboticaba do mato", is a plant from Brazilian cerrado that has been found to be commonly used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disturbs in its native region. The present work was carried out to investigate the effect of tannins (TF) and flavonoids (FF) fractions from Mouriri pusa leaves methanolic extract on the prevention and cicatrisation process of gastric ulcers, and also evaluate possible toxic effects.


METHODS
The following protocols were taken in rats: acute assay, in which ulcers were induced by oral ethanol after pre-treatment with the fractions; and 14 days treatment assay, in which ulcers were treated for 14 days after induction by local injection of acetic acid.


RESULTS
In the acute model, treatment with either, TF (25mg/kg) or FF (50mg/kg), was able to reduce lesion area, showing gastroprotective effect. In addition, FF proved itself anti-inflammatory by reducing COX-2 levels. In acetic acid model, both fractions exhibited larger ulcers' regenerative mucosa, indicating cicatrisation enhancement. FF group also showed augmented cell proliferation, anti-inflammatory action and enhanced angiogenesis as well as increased mucus secretion. Moreover, concerning the toxicity parameters analyzed, no alteration in the fractions groups was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Tannins and flavonoids from Mouriri pusa provide beneficial effects against gastric ulcers with relative safety.
Vasconcelos
P C P
PC
Botucatu Institute of Biosciences, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
Andreo
M A
MA
Vilegas
W
W
Hiruma-Lima
C A
CA
Pellizzon
C H
CH
D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001938:Brazil; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D035322:Melastomataceae; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013634:Tannins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013634:Tannins