Role of gastric mucus secretion, oxinitrergic system and sulfhydryl groups on the gastroprotection elicited by Polygala cyparissias (Polygalaceae) in mice

• Published in: Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology 2013-05, Vol.65 (5), p.767-776
• Main Authors: Klein-Júnior, Luiz Carlos, Santin, José Roberto, Lemos, Marivane, Silveira, Alessandro Conrado de Oliveira, Rocha, Jady Alice Rodrigues, Beber, Ana Paula, Wagner, Theodoro Marcel, Bresolin, Tania Mari Bellé, Bella-Cruz, Alexandre, Cechinel-Filho, Valdir, Faloni de Andrade, Sérgio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetic Acid; Animals; Anti-Ulcer Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Ulcer Agents - therapeutic use; Chronic Disease; Ethanol; flavonoid; gastroprotection; Helicobacter pylori - drug effects; Hydrochloric Acid; Kaempferols - pharmacology; Kaempferols - therapeutic use; Mice; Mucus - secretion; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; phenolic compounds; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Polygala - chemistry; Stomach - drug effects; Stomach - metabolism; Stomach - pathology; Stomach Ulcer - chemically induced; Stomach Ulcer - metabolism; Stomach Ulcer - pathology; Stomach Ulcer - prevention & control; Sulfhydryl Compounds - metabolism; ulcer; Ulcers; xanthones; Xanthones - pharmacology; Xanthones - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0022-3573; 2042-7158
• DOI: 10.1111/jphp.12038

Objectives This study has aimed to assess the mechanisms of action for the gastroprotective effect of the acetone extract (PCAE) and methanol fraction (PCMF) of Polygala cyparissias, as well as to evaluate the activity of 1,3,6,8‐tetrahydroxy‐2,7‐dimethoxyxanthone (1), 1,7‐dihydroxy‐2,3‐dimethoxyxanthone (2) and astragalin (3). Methods Gastric secretion and mucus content were determined by pylorus ligation in mice. Nitric oxide (NO) and sulfhydryl group participation were observed by the pretreatment of mice with L‐NAME or NEM. Acute ulcer was induced by ethanol/HCl and chronic ulcer by acetic acid. Anti‐Helicobacter pylori activity was evaluated by the agar solid dilution assay. Key findings Neither PCAE nor PCMF had the ability to reduce H+ concentration. However, both of them enhanced mucus secretion. PCAE demonstrated its gastroprotection in a NO‐dependent manner, while PCMF exerted the activity depending on the sulfhydryl group. In chronic ulcer, the curative ratios for the PCAE and PCMF were 67.5 and 58.4%, respectively. No effect over H. pylori was detected. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 were able to reduce lesions in the order of 79.6, 73.8 and 67.6%, respectively. Conclusions The data suggested that PCAE and PCMF displayed antiulcer activity due to different mechanisms and with the participation of phenolic compounds obtained from the plant.