Abstract
Distemonanthus benthamianus (Caesalpiniaceae) is a plant from the Cameroon pharmacopoeia very widely used in the treatment of many pathologies among which are gastrointestinal disorders. The main purpose of this study was to assess the healing properties of gastric ulcer from the methanolic extract of Distemonanthus benthamianus and its mechanisms of action. The healing properties of gastric ulcers (chronic ulcer model induced by ethanol and indomethacin) were evaluated in vivo in adult male rats, while the mechanisms of action were evaluated in vitro by anti-inflammatory assay (protein denaturation, cyclooxygenase, and lipoxygenase assays) and immunomodulatory assay (ROS production (using technical chemiluminescence), cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) production (using ELISA), proliferation of T cells (using liquid scintillation counter), and cytotoxicity (using MTT assay)). The methanolic extract of Distemonanthus benthamianus inhibited protein denaturation (75.63%) and the activities of cyclooxygenase (78.92%) and 5-lipoxygenase (81.54%). The extract also significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited intracellular and extracellular ROS production and T cell proliferation and reduced significantly (p < 0.01, p < 0.001) TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and PGE2 production. At all doses (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg), the extract significantly reduces the ulceration index and the area of ulceration and significantly increases the mass of gastric mucus. In addition, the extract significantly decreases the level of MDA, significantly increases the activities of catalase and glutathione, and then improves the hematological parameters in sick animals. Histological micrographs show that in the presence of the extract, there is advanced reepithelialization with recovery of the ulcerated epithelium. Thus, the extract of Distemonanthus benthamianus has healing properties against gastric ulcers which are associated with its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects.
Highlights
Caesalpiniaceae represent a plant family made up of subtropical and tropical shrubs and trees with more than 150 genera and around 2200 species
Based on the fact that preliminary in vitro studies of this study have shown that the stem bark of the methanolic extract of D. benthamianus has the property of significantly inhibiting protein denaturation, the activities of COX and
The results show that the methanolic extract of D. benthamianus has healing properties for chronic gastric ulcers induced by ethanol and/or indomethacin and via the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms
Summary
Caesalpiniaceae represent a plant family made up of subtropical and tropical shrubs and trees with more than 150 genera and around 2200 species. The leaves have the characteristics of being stipulated, alternate, pinnate, bipinnate, or simple with a petiole very often enlarged at the base. The flowers of this plant family, zygomorphic and strongly perigynous, appear in spikes, in clusters, or in cymes. Their fruits are generally legumes [1]. Several species of Caesalpinioideae are highly sought after because of their ornamental characteristics.
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