title: Evaluation of antiulcerogenic activity of aqueous extract of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage) on Wistar rat gastric ulceration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata) is an herbaceous and leafy plant which belongs to the Brassicaceae family, native to coastal southern and Western Europe. Used in cooking for its nutritional value also has known anti-inflammatory activity. OBJECTIVE We studied the antiulcerogenic activity of aqueous extract of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (AEB) in order to validate ethnobotanical claims regarding the plant use in the gastric disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acute gastric ulcers were induced in rats by the oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid. The gastroprotective potential of the AEB (0.250, 0.500 and 1.000 mg.kg-1/body weight) was compared with omeprazole (20 mg.kg-1/body weight).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The stomach analysis indicated that treatment with AEB inhibited the gastric damage. The gastroprotective activity as evidenced by its significant inhibition in the formation of ulcers induced by chemical agent with a maximum of 99.44% curation (250 mg.kg-1 body weight) in acetylsalicylic acid-induced ulcers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The AEB demonstrated good antiulcerogenic activities which justify the inclusion of this plant in the management of gastric disorders. Further experiments are underway to determine which antiulcer mechanisms involved in gastroprotection.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil. camiloamaro@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Camilo Amaro de
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Kenner Moraes
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Sérgio Luiz Pinto
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Matta
authors.forename: Marcelo Barreto da
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Leandro Licursi de
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Cláudio César
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Fonseca
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin; D001937:Brassica / Q000737:chemistry*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009853:Omeprazole; D001241:Aspirin