Francisco E B Júnior1, Dayanne R de Oliveira2, Aline Augusti Boligon3, Margareth Linde Athayde3, Jean Paul Kamdem4, Giulianna Echeverria Macedo5, Gustavo Felipe da Silva5, Irwin R A de Menezes2, José G M Costa2, Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho2, Marta R Kerntopf2, Thaís Posser6. 1. Laboratório de Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri, CE 63100-000, Brazil; Campus São Gabriel, Universidade Federal do Pampa, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul 97300-000, Brazil. Electronic address: francisconaldo@uol.com.br. 2. Laboratório de Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri, CE 63100-000, Brazil. 3. Laboratório de Pesquisa em Fitoquímica, Departamento de Farmácia Industrial, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Prédio 26, Sala 1115, Santa Maria, CEP 97105-900, Brazil. 4. Departamento de Química, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 90035-003, Brazil. 5. Campus São Gabriel, Universidade Federal do Pampa, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul 97300-000, Brazil. 6. Campus São Gabriel, Universidade Federal do Pampa, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul 97300-000, Brazil. Electronic address: thaisposser@unipampa.edu.br.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Croton campestris A. St.-Hill., popularly known as "velame do campo", is a species native from savannah area of Northeast Brazil, which is used by traditional communities in folk medicine for a variety of health problems, especially detoxification, inflammation and gastritis. The present study investigates the possible gastric antiulcer activity of Croton campestris root extract (CCRE) and mechanisms of action underlying this effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric lesions were induced in mice by ethanol, acidified ethanol and indomethacin. CCRE was previously administered orally in doses ranging from 50 to 750 mg/kg. Stomach lesions were measured. The involvement of Nitric Oxide (NO), prostaglandins (PGEs), ATP-dependent K+ channel and adrenergic receptor was investigated through specific inhibitors. RESULTS: CCRE produced significant antiulcer activity against absolute ethanol, acidified ethanol and indomethacin induced gastric lesions. The pretreatment with L-NAME (10 mg/kg, p.o.), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis and indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.), an inhibitor of prostaglandin production, reversed the antiulcer action of CCRE. CONCLUSION: Taking together, these results suggest that the antiulcer activity of CCRE is dependent of NO and prostaglandin pathways possibly due to its ability to stimulate the synthesis of NO, and activation of endogenous prostaglandin production. Therefore, the use of CCRE in traditional Brazilian medicine against gastric disorders has a scientific basis.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Croton campestris A. St.-Hill., popularly known as "velame do campo", is a species native from savannah area of Northeast Brazil, which is used by traditional communities in folk medicine for a variety of health problems, especially detoxification, inflammation and gastritis. The present study investigates the possible gastric antiulcer activity of Croton campestris root extract (CCRE) and mechanisms of action underlying this effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Gastric lesions were induced in mice by ethanol, acidified ethanol and indomethacin. CCRE was previously administered orally in doses ranging from 50 to 750 mg/kg. Stomach lesions were measured. The involvement of Nitric Oxide (NO), prostaglandins (PGEs), ATP-dependent K+ channel and adrenergic receptor was investigated through specific inhibitors. RESULTS: CCRE produced significant antiulcer activity against absolute ethanol, acidified ethanol and indomethacin induced gastric lesions. The pretreatment with L-NAME (10 mg/kg, p.o.), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis and indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.), an inhibitor of prostaglandin production, reversed the antiulcer action of CCRE. CONCLUSION: Taking together, these results suggest that the antiulcer activity of CCRE is dependent of NO and prostaglandin pathways possibly due to its ability to stimulate the synthesis of NO, and activation of endogenous prostaglandin production. Therefore, the use of CCRE in traditional Brazilian medicine against gastric disorders has a scientific basis.