title: Evidence of the anti-Helicobacter pylori, gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of Cuphea aequipetala infusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cuphea aequipetala (Lythraceae) is a medicinal plant highly appreciated in Mexico to treat stomach ailments such as pain and burning sensation, stomach infections, ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, and different types of tumors and bruises. In this work, the infusion of aerial parts of this plant (CAI) was investigated for its polypharmacological potential.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity was assessed by broth dilution method. Pharmacological studies included acute toxicity in mice using Lorke´s model, anti-inflammatory activity by xylene and TPA induced ear edema assay, as well as gastroprotection with ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model. DPPH and ABTS assays were used to determine antioxidant capacity. Polyphenols and flavonoid contents were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method and AlCl3 reaction, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CAI showed good anti-Helicobacter pylori activity with a MIC of 125μg/mL. The infusion was not toxic according to Lorke's model with a LD50 greater than 5g/kg. CAI exhibited low anti-edematogenic action in the models assayed. Oral administration of 300mg/kg CAI significantly reduced gastric lesions by 87.9%. The effect was reversed only by indomethacin and N-ethylmaleimide demonstrating the role of endogenous prostaglandins and sulfhydryl compounds in gastroprotection. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of CAI were 109.9mg GAE/g DW and 28.1mg QE/g DW, respectively, and the infusion exhibited a good antioxidant activity that is thought to play a role in its biological activity. The analysis of a preliminary fractionation of the infusion indicates that the complete extract conserves all its pharmacological activities in contrast to fractionated extracts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cuphea aequipetala is a promising native herb in an integral therapy for the treatment of bacterial or non-bacterial gastric ulcer because it possesses some anti-inflammatory properties, as well as exhibits good gastroprotective and antibacterial effects. It represents an important source for the isolation of anti-Helicobacter pylori compounds. This work provides ethnopharmacological evidence that supports the traditional use of this species.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 04510 México, D.F., México.
authors.forename: Juan Francisco
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Palacios-Espinosa
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 04510 México, D.F., México.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Arroyo-García
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 04510 México, D.F., México.
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: García-Valencia
authors.affiliation: Jardín Botánico, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 04510 México, D.F., México.
authors.forename: Edelmira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Linares
authors.affiliation: Jardín Botánico, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 04510 México, D.F., México.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bye
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 04510 México, D.F., México. Electronic address: irma@bq.unam.mx.
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Romero
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D052160:Benzothiazoles / Q000378:metabolism; D031562:Cuphea; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000431:Ethanol; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000032:analysis; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013451:Sulfonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D014992:Xylenes
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; D014992:Xylenes; C002502:2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid; D000431:Ethanol; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate
keywords: Cuphea aequipetala; Gastroprotection; Helicobacter pylori; Inflammation; Toxicity