Modulation of gastrin and epidermal growth factor by pyrrolizidine alkaloids obtained from Senecio brasiliensis in acute and chronic induced gastric ulcers

We investigated the antiulcerogenic activity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) integerrimine, retrorsine, senecionine, usaramine and seneciplhylline, an alkaloidal extract obtained from Senecio brasiliensis. The PA extract demonstrated significantly activity in both, acute and chronic gastric ulcers...

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Published in:Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology 2004-05, Vol.82 (5), p.319-325
Main Authors: Toma, Walber, Trigo, José Roberto, Bensuaski de Paula, Ana Cláudia, Monteiro Souza Brito, Alba Regina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Digestive system
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Epidermal Growth Factor - biosynthesis
Gastrins - biosynthesis
Male
Medical sciences
Mice
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Plant Extracts - chemistry
Plant Extracts - isolation & purification
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids - chemistry
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids - isolation & purification
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids - therapeutic use
Rats
Senecio
Stomach Ulcer - drug therapy
Stomach Ulcer - metabolism
Stomach Ulcer - pathology
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Summary:We investigated the antiulcerogenic activity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) integerrimine, retrorsine, senecionine, usaramine and seneciplhylline, an alkaloidal extract obtained from Senecio brasiliensis. The PA extract demonstrated significantly activity in both, acute and chronic gastric ulcers on rats. The effects of PA extract were dose dependent. The mechanisms implicated on this activity were evaluated by determination of gastrin plasma levels in rats subjected to the acute treatment with PA extract and by expression of mRNA of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) after chronic treatment with this extract. The results showed that the PA extract increased both the levels of gastrin and the expression of EGF on these animals. Moreover, the histological examinations showed a reduction of exfoliation of superficial cells, hemorrhages and blood cell infiltration. We concluded that the PAs showed an important and qualitative antiulcerogenic activity mediated by increase in gastrin secretion and mRNA expression of EGF.Key words: Senecio brasiliensis, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, antiulcer activity, gastrin, EGF.
ISSN:0008-4212
1205-7541
DOI:10.1139/y04-023