Abstract
Ethnomedicinal studies in the Amazon community and in the Northeast region of Brazil highlight the use of Libidibia ferrea fruits for the treatment of gastric problems. However, there are no data in the literature of this pharmacological activity. Thus, the aim of this paper is to provide a scientific basis for the use of the dry extract of L. ferrea pods (DELfp) for the treatment of peptic ulcers. Phytochemical characterization was performed by HPLC/MS. In vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, phosphomolybdenum, and superoxide radical scavenging activity. The gastroprotective activity, the ability to stimulate mucus production, the antisecretory activity, and the influence of -SH and NO compounds on the antiulcerogenic activity of DELfp were evaluated. The healing activity was determined by the acetic acid-induced chronic ulcer model. Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity was investigated. HPLC/MS results identified the presence of phenolic compounds, gallic acid and ellagic acid, in DELfp. The extract showed antioxidant activity in vitro. In ulcers induced by absolute ethanol and acidified ethanol, the ED50 values of DELfp were 113 and 185.7 mg/kg, respectively. DELfp (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) inhibited indomethacin-induced lesions by 66.7, 69.6, and 65.8%, respectively. DELfp (200 mg/kg) reduced gastric secretion and H+ concentration in the gastric contents and showed to be independent of nitric oxide (NO) and dependent on sulfhydryl (-SH) compounds in the protection of the gastric mucosa. In the chronic ulcer model, DELfp reduced the area of the gastric lesion. DELfp also showed anti-H. pylori activity. In conclusion, DELfp showed antioxidant, gastroprotective, healing, and antiulcerogenic activities. The mechanism of these actions seems to be mediated by different pathways and involves the reduction of gastric secretion and H+ concentration, dependence on sulfhydryl compounds, and anti-H. pylori activity. All these actions support the medicinal use of this species in the management of peptic ulcers.
Highlights
Peptic ulcer (PU) is a term used to refer to an acid-peptic lesion of the gastrointestinal tract resulting in rupture of the mucosa and submucosa [1]
Considering the use of this species in ethnomedicine, the lack of information in the literature, and the need to propose a therapeutic tool that may help in the treatment of PUs, this study investigated the antioxidant and antiulcerogenic activities of the pods, the renewable part of the plant, of L. ferrea
Chromatographic analysis of the dry extract of L. ferrea pods suggested the presence of nine compounds: (A) galloylquinic acid (7.4 min), (B) galloyl-HHDP-hex (19.8 min), (C) brevifolin carboxylic acid (20.2 min), (D) valoneic acid dilactone (22.0 min), (E) gallic acid derivative (23.9 min), (F) ellagic acid derivative (32.6 min), (G) ellagic acid (32.5 min), (H) ellagic acid derivative (35.3 min), and dihydroisovaltrate (42.3 min)
Summary
Peptic ulcer (PU) is a term used to refer to an acid-peptic lesion of the gastrointestinal tract resulting in rupture of the mucosa and submucosa [1]. Several behavioral factors culminate in the development of PUs. Several behavioral factors culminate in the development of PUs They include inadequate eating habits, alcohol and tobacco consumption, stress, and the inadvertent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [9]. In these situations, the defense mechanisms of the gastric mucosa, such as mucus and bicarbonate secretion, acid-base balance, endogenous sulfhydryl groups, and epidermal growth factor [9, 10], are insufficient to maintain tissue homeostasis, favoring the development of lesions
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