Gastroprotective Effects of Methanolic Extract ofSterculia nobilis Smith Seeds in Reserpine-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Mice

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the gastroprotective effect of methanolic extract from Sterculia nobilis Smith seeds (SSME) on reserpine (25 mg/kg)-induced gastric ulcer using an Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mouse animal model. Gastric juice secretion, total acidity of gastric juice, serum neuropeptides, including motilin (MTL), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and somatostatin (SS) levels, as well as gastric malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. SSME effectively reduced reserpine-induced gastric juice secretion and decreased the total acidity in gastric juice. In addition, SSME reduced the serum levels of MTL and SP, and increased VIP and SS levels in serum. It also resulted in an increase in SOD and a reduction of MDA levels in gastric tissue. Results from the present study suggest that SSME has a gastroprotective effect on reserpine-induced gastric ulcer in mice by reducing gastric juice secretion, modulating serum neuropeptide levels, increasing the gastric SOD activity and attenuating the gastric MDA generation. Practical Applications The Sterculia nobilis Smith seed has been traditionally consumed as a fruit in South China, Vietnam, India and Indonesia. It has been demonstrated to exhibit numerous beneficial functions such as regulation of gastrointestinal function and improving eyesight.