title: Antiulcerogenic effect of Croton urucurana Baillon bark.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Croton urucurana (Euphorbiaceae) bark is used to treat gastric ulcers. However, to our knowledge, no study has been conducted to confirm this therapeutic property.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the antiulcerogenic effect and any possible toxic effects of Croton urucurana bark in an induced gastric ulcer model in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The preventive and healing properties of Croton urucurana bark methanol extract (CUE) were evaluated in experimental models of acute (ethanol and indomethacin) and chronic (acetic acid) gastric ulcers. The gastric juice and mucous were evaluated using the pylorus ligation model, while the gastroprotective action of sulphydryl compounds and nitric oxide were analysed using the ethanol model. The toxicity was evaluated with acute and subacute toxicity tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No signs of toxicity were observed in the parameters analysed. All of the CUE doses tested (50, 100 and 250mg/kg) significantly reduced the gastric lesions by 70.25, 95.40 and 98.71%, respectively. Treatment with 30mg/kg lansoprazole (positive control) inhibited 82.58% of the gastric lesions. In the indomethacin model, the 50, 100 and 250mg/kg doses of CUE significantly reduced gastric damage by 67.85, 82.50 and 71.01%, respectively, and the positive control, cimetidine (200mg/kg), reduced gastric damage by 91.02%. The CUE (100mg/kg) and cimetidine (200mg/kg) treatments significantly reduced the ulcerative pathology induced by acetic acid, promoting 81.55 and 72.62% healing, respectively. Nitric oxide did not change the cytoprotection generated by CUE. However, the antiulcerogenic activity of CUE appears to involve sulphydryl compounds because CUE activity was inhibited in animals receiving a sulphydryl compound blocker. In addition, CUE exhibited systemic effects, increasing mucous production and decreasing gastric acidity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study shows that Croton urucurana bark exerts gastroprotective activity in rats without causing toxicity. This effect appears to involve sulphydryl compounds, increasing mucus production and reducing gastric acidity.
authors: Federal University of Grande Dourados, College of Health Science, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul CEP 79804-970, Brazil.
authors: Kátia
authors: K
authors: Wolff Cordeiro
authors: Lorraine
authors: L
authors: Aparecida Pinto
authors: Anelise Samara
authors: AS
authors: Nazari Formagio
authors: Sérgio
authors: S
authors: Faloni de Andrade
authors: Cândida Aparecida
authors: CA
authors: Leite Kassuya
authors: Karine
authors: K
authors: de Cássia Freitas
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029802:Croton / Q000737:chemistry*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007213:Indomethacin; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D000431:Ethanol; D019342:Acetic Acid; D007213:Indomethacin