title: Protective effects of Croton campestris A. St-Hill in different ulcer models in rodents: evidence for the involvement of nitric oxide and prostaglandins.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Croton campestris A. St.-Hill., popularly known as "velame do campo", is a species native from savannah area of Northeast Brazil, which is used by traditional communities in folk medicine for a variety of health problems, especially detoxification, inflammation and gastritis. The present study investigates the possible gastric antiulcer activity of Croton campestris root extract (CCRE) and mechanisms of action underlying this effect.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gastric lesions were induced in mice by ethanol, acidified ethanol and indomethacin. CCRE was previously administered orally in doses ranging from 50 to 750 mg/kg. Stomach lesions were measured. The involvement of Nitric Oxide (NO), prostaglandins (PGEs), ATP-dependent K+ channel and adrenergic receptor was investigated through specific inhibitors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CCRE produced significant antiulcer activity against absolute ethanol, acidified ethanol and indomethacin induced gastric lesions. The pretreatment with L-NAME (10 mg/kg, p.o.), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis and indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.), an inhibitor of prostaglandin production, reversed the antiulcer action of CCRE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taking together, these results suggest that the antiulcer activity of CCRE is dependent of NO and prostaglandin pathways possibly due to its ability to stimulate the synthesis of NO, and activation of endogenous prostaglandin production. Therefore, the use of CCRE in traditional Brazilian medicine against gastric disorders has a scientific basis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri, CE 63100-000, Brazil; Campus São Gabriel, Universidade Federal do Pampa, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul 97300-000, Brazil. Electronic address: francisconaldo@uol.com.br.
authors.forename: Francisco E B
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Júnior
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri, CE 63100-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dayanne R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Pesquisa em Fitoquímica, Departamento de Farmácia Industrial, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Prédio 26, Sala 1115, Santa Maria, CEP 97105-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline Augusti
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Boligon
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Pesquisa em Fitoquímica, Departamento de Farmácia Industrial, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Prédio 26, Sala 1115, Santa Maria, CEP 97105-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Margareth Linde
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Athayde
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 90035-003, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jean Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kamdem
authors.affiliation: Campus São Gabriel, Universidade Federal do Pampa, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul 97300-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giulianna Echeverria
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Macedo
authors.affiliation: Campus São Gabriel, Universidade Federal do Pampa, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul 97300-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo Felipe
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri, CE 63100-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Irwin R A
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: de Menezes
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri, CE 63100-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: José G M
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri, CE 63100-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Henrique Douglas Melo
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri, CE 63100-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marta R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kerntopf
authors.affiliation: Campus São Gabriel, Universidade Federal do Pampa, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul 97300-000, Brazil. Electronic address: thaisposser@unipampa.edu.br.
authors.forename: Thaís
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Posser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D029802:Croton; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D011453:Prostaglandins; D020011:Protective Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide
keywords: Croton campestris; Gastroprotection; Nitric oxide; Peptic ulcer; Prostaglandins