Abstract
Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. belonging to the family Asteraceae is an edible medicinal plant distributed worldwide. This study aimed to determine the gastroprotective effects of aqueous extract of T. officinale (AETo) in rats using ultrasound, histological, and biochemical analyses. In this study, gastric ulceration was induced by ethanol or piroxicam. Rats were then treated with AETo (3, 30, or 300 mg/kg). The area and histological appearance of gastric ulcers were quantified, and histochemical analysis was performed. The activity of AETo on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers was assessed in the ulcerated tissue. In addition, we investigated the thickness of the gastric wall using the ultrasound technique. Moreover, chemical analyses of AETo were performed. In rats with ethanol- or piroxicam-induced ulcers, AETo reduced the ulceration area, elevated mucin level, and the gastroprotective effect was confirmed by histological analysis. The gastroprotective effect was accompanied by increased activities of SOD, CAT, and GST, as well as an increase in GSH level and reduction in MPO activity. Furthermore, AETo reduced the thickness of the gastric wall in rats. Phytochemical analysis of AETo indicated phenolic acids and flavonoids as the main active compounds. In conclusion, the gastroprotective effect of AETo involves reduction in oxidative stress and inflammatory injury and increase in mucin content. This study advances in the elucidation of mechanisms of gastric protection of T. officinale, contributes to the prospection of new molecules gastroprotective, and proposes the ultrasonographic analyses as a new gastroprotective assessment tool in preclinical studies.
Highlights
To imitate the popular use of T. officinale, this study aims to demonstrate the gastroprotective effects of the aqueous extract of the plant in rats and contribute to the mechanisms underlying this activity, employing the ultrasonography of the gastric wall in parallel to macroscopic and microscopic records, as well as biochemistry analyses
Phytochemical Analysis. e aqueous extract of T. officinale (AETo) used in the present study was analyzed by electrospray ionization-ion trap mass spectrometry (ESIIT-MS) based on a direct infusion technique. e structures of the 14 polyphenolic compounds were determined based on their MS2 fragmentation patterns and compared with the literature (Table 1) [35]–[37]
The gastroprotective activity of the aqueous extract obtained from the plant’s leaves, which mimics its popular preparations, has not yet been tested. erefore, this study provides an analysis of the chemical constituents of T. officinale and investigates its gastroprotective property that supports the use of dandelion as a medicinal plant
Summary
Peptic ulcer is a disease characterized by the rupture of the protective barrier of the epithelial mucosa of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum [1]. ese lesions can affect the mucosa and other deeper layers of the gastrointestinal wall and damage the muscle tissue, leading to complications such as hemorrhage and perforation [2, 3]. e etiology of gastric ulcers is complex and multifactorial, mainly attributed to an imbalance between protective factors (mucus barrier, cytoprotective prostaglandins, antioxidants, bicarbonate secretion, and appropriate microcirculation) and harmful factors (highly acidic environment in the gastric lumen and pepsin activity) [4].Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicinegastric ulcers may involve exogenous agents such as stress, Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, alcoholism, and prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). ese aggressive factors can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can promote a strong inflammatory response [5].Despite the protective barrier provided by the epithelial layer, several agents and pathogens can cause inflammation by activating the epithelium, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, and macrophages to produce inflammatory cytokines and other mediators that contribute further to oxidative stress [6]. Peptic ulcer is a disease characterized by the rupture of the protective barrier of the epithelial mucosa of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum [1]. Gastric ulcers may involve exogenous agents such as stress, Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, alcoholism, and prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ese aggressive factors can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can promote a strong inflammatory response [5]. Despite the protective barrier provided by the epithelial layer, several agents and pathogens can cause inflammation by activating the epithelium, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, and macrophages to produce inflammatory cytokines and other mediators that contribute further to oxidative stress [6]. Us, to investigate new, effective, and safe alternatives, extensive pharmacological studies based on natural products have been conducted [7]. The infusion obtained from its leaves is used for the treatment of diabetes and hepatic and gastric disorders, as well as for diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects [9,10,11]
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