Mechanisms of the gastric antiulcerogenic activity of Anacardium humile St. Hil on ethanol-induced acute gastric mucosal injury in rats.
Leaves and bark infusions Anacardium humile St. Hil. (Anacardiaceae), known as in Brazil as "cajuzinho do cerrado", have been used in folk medicine as an alternative treatment for ulcers and gastritis. This study evaluated the gastroprotective activity of an ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of A. humile (AcF) and the mechanism involved in this gastroprotection. Pretreatment concentrations (50, 100, 200 mg x kg⁻¹) were administered by gavage. Following a 60 min. period, all the rats were orally administered 1 mL of absolute ethanol. One hour after the administration of ethanol, all groups were sacrificed, and the gastric ulcer index was calculated. Prostaglandin PGE₂ concentration, gastric adherent mucous, and the participation of nitric oxide (NO) and sulfhydryl compounds in the gastroprotection process were also analyzed using the most effective tested dose (50 mg x kg⁻¹). A histological study of the glandular stomach for the evaluation of the epithelial damage and mucus content was also performed. AcF significantly reduced the gastric damage produced by ethanol. This effect was statistically significant for the 50 mg x kg⁻¹ group compared to control. Also, it significantly increased the PGE₂ (by 10-fold) and mucous production, while pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) completely abolished the gastroprotection. AcF has a protective effect against ethanol, and this effect, might be due to the augmentation of the protective mechanisms of mucosa.
Departamento de Anatomia, Biologia Celular, Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil. domcarecone@yahoo.com.br.
Anderson
A
Luiz-Ferreira
Ana Cristina Alves de
AC
Almeida
Maíra
M
Cola
Victor
V
Barbastefano
Ana Beatriz Albino de
AB
Almeida
Leônia Maria
LM
Batista
Elisângela
E
Farias-Silva
Cláudia Helena
CH
Pellizzon
Clélia Akiko
CA
Hiruma-Lima
Lourdes Campaner
LC
Santos
Wagner
W
Vilegas
Alba Regina Monteiro Souza
AR
Brito
D031021:Anacardium / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000431:Ethanol