Abstract
BackgroundThe last decade has been marked by increasing data regarding gastroinstestinal diseases, specially gastritis and ulcer. In order to prevent or treat these diseases, many studies have demonstrated the potential of medicinal plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profile and the gastroprotective activity of the methanolic extract of Myrcianthes pungens whole fruit, peel, pulp, seeds, and leaves.MethodsThe methanolic extracts were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) to detect the presence of phenolic compounds by direct comparison with an authentic sample. To evaluate the gastroprotective activity, two experimental models were used: acute ulcer model induced by ethanol/HCl and acute ulcer model induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (indomethacin). Animals were divided in different groups (n = 6) and pretreated orally with the methanolic extracts of M. pungens at doses of 50, 125, and 250 mg/kg, the positive control (cimetidine 100 mg/kg) and negative control (distilled water).ResultsThe TLC analysis indicated the presence of the flavonoids quercetin and quercitrin in the leaves, quercetin in the peel, and catechin and epicatechin in the leaves and seeds of M. pungens. The extracts of leaves, peel, and pulp showed significant gastroprotective potential regarding the relative area of the lesion observed only in acute ulcer model induced by ethanol. The extracts of whole fruit, peel, pulp, seeds, and leaves showed significant gastroprotective potential observed in acute ulcer induced by indomethacin model.ConclusionsThe gastroprotective activity can be related with the presence of some phenolic compounds identified in phytochemical analysis.
Highlights
The last decade has been marked by increasing data regarding gastroinstestinal diseases, specially gastritis and ulcer
The results obtained by the phytochemical analysis by thin layer chromatography (TLC) indicated the presence of quercetin and quercitrin in the leaves, quercetin in the peel, and catechin and epicatechin in the leaves and seeds
In relation to indomethacin model, all M. pungens extracts presented defense capability of the gastric mucosa, reducing significantly total and relative lesions areas compared to the negative control (Table 2)
Summary
The last decade has been marked by increasing data regarding gastroinstestinal diseases, specially gastritis and ulcer. Peptic ulcer is a multifactorial chronic disease, and Helicobacter pylori infection, use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAIDs), and alcohol abuse are the main causative agents. It can prejudice any part of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by ulceration of the mucosa, affecting more often the gastric and duodenal mucosa [1, 2]. Several studies indicate the efficacy of medicinal plants for the peptic ulcer treatment, because of the presence of bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, tannins, saponins, phenolic acids, and others [2, 5]. The species Myrcianthes pungens, native of Rio Grande do Sul, belonging to the Myrtaceae family and popularly known as “guabiju” [6, 7], is used in folk medicine for possessing antidiarrheal properties [8], and its de Almeida et al Nutrire (2017) 42:24 leaves have been described as diuretic and for the ability to reduce stomach disorders [9]
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