title: Cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of the methanol extract of Eremomastax speciosa in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ethno-botanical information shows that Eremomastax speciosa is used in the traditional management of various stomach complaints including gastro-duodenal ulcers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we tested the cytoprotective potential of the whole plant methanol extract (100-200 mg/kg, p.o), against HCl/ethanol, absolute ethanol, cold/restraint stress rats, and pylorus legated rats pre-treated with indomethacin. The effects of the extract on gastric lesion inhibition, the volume of gastric juice, gastric pH, gastric acid output, mucus production and gastric peptic activity were recorded. Oxidative stress parameters were measured in blood and gastric tissue samples obtained from the animals in all the models tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract significantly (p<0.05), reduced the formation of cold/restraint ulcers by (31-60%, inhibition), completely inhibited (100%) the formation of lesions induced by HCl/ethanol at the highest dose, but was less effective against absolute ethanol (22-46% inhibition). The extract (200 mg/kg), significantly reduced lesion formation (P<0.01), gastric acidity (P<0.01), and volume of gastric secretions (P<0.05), in the indomethacin/pylorus ligation model, and did not affect the activity of pepsin in gastric juice. Blood concentrations of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, SOD and GSH), increased significantly and MDA concentrations decreased in all models tested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cytoprotection by E. speciosa methanol extract was attributed to its ability to reduce acid secretion, and to enhance mucosal defence and in vivo antioxidant status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, P.O. Box 812, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Perfusion A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Amang
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, P.O. Box 812, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Paul V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, P.O. Box 812, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Simon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Patamaken
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, P.O. Box 812, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Martial N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Mefe
mesh_terms: D027901:Acanthaceae; D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D003080:Cold Temperature; D000431:Ethanol; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid; D007213:Indomethacin; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011708:Pylorus; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000431:Ethanol; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid; D007213:Indomethacin
keywords: Eremomastax speciosa; antioxidant status; cytoprotection; gastric ulcers