Phytochemical and antiulcerogenic properties of rhizomes from Simaba ferruginea St. Hill. (Simaroubaceae).

Simaba ferruginea (Simaroubaceae) is a Brazilian medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat several ailments, including gastric ulcers, fever, diarrhea, and dolorous and inflammatory processes. This study examines the chemical composition and antiulcerogenic effects of rhizomes from this plant. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of two bioactive indole alkaloids called canthin-6-one (1) and 4-methoxycanthin-6-one (2). The alkaloid fraction and both alkaloids demonstrated potent antiulcerogenic effects when evaluated in gastric lesion-induced animals, as well as significant antinociceptive activity in mice. These results confirm and justify the popular use of S. ferruginea against gastric ulcers and dolorous processes.