title: Gastroprotective activity of Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire leaves on experimental ulcer models.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire (Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae), popularly known in Brazil as "caneleiro", is widely used in folk medicine against gastrointestinal diseases. In previous studies, the ethanol extract of leaves from Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire had shown antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and antiulcerogenic activities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the gastroprotective effect of the hydroalcoholic fraction of leaves of Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire (Cm-FHA), as well as to elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms of action.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mice were used for the evaluation of the acute toxicity, and mice and rats to study the gastroprotective activity. The potential gastroprotective of Cm-FHA was assessed on different gastric ulcer models in rodents, such as absolute ethanol, HCl/ethanol, ischemia-reperfusion, cold restraint stress and indomethacin. The participation of prostaglandins, NO-synthase pathway and ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) in gastroprotective activity of Cm-FHA were evaluated after treatment with a cyclooxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin), a NO-synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) and a KATP channel blocker (glibenclamide 5mg/kg), respectively. Likewise, the catalase activity was determinated in order to assess the possible participation of antioxidant mechanisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No signs of acute toxicity was observed after oral acute administration of Cm-FHA, considering the analyzed parameters. Likewise, Cm-FHA promoted a protective effect against gastric ulcers induced by absolute ethanol (lesion inhibition by 40% at both 100 and 200mg/kg), HCl/ethanol (lesion inhibition by 50 or 48% at 100 or 200mg/kg, respectively), ischemia-reperfusion (lesion inhibition by 49 or 90% at 100 or 200mg/kg, respectively) and cold restraint stress (lesion inhibition by 63 or 76% at 100 or 200mg/kg, respectively), as well as a increase of catalase activity was observed. Otherwise, Cm-FHA was not able to protect gastric mucosa against indomethacin-induced lesions. Nitric oxide release, the of KATP channels opening and antioxidant activity are the possibly involved in the Cm-FHA-induced gastroprotective activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study corroborates the folk medicine use of Cenostigma macrophyllum for treatment of gastric ulcers, as well as reinforces this species as a valuable source of promising natural drugs with gastroprotective activity.
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Plants Research Center, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil.
authors.forename: A F S C
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Viana
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: F F B P
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.forename: F D F
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: C L S
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: D D R
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Arcanjo
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chaves
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: R C M
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007887:Fabaceae; D005260:Female; D054086:KATP Channels / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D054086:KATP Channels; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002374:Catalase
keywords: Cenostigma macrophyllum; Gastroprotection; Leguminosae