Morphologic and Pharmacological Investigations in the Epicatechin Gastroprotective Effect
Previous studies of the gastroprotective activity of plants have highlighted the importance of the polyphenolic compound epicatechin (EC) in the treatment of gastric ulcers. This paper aimed to evaluate and characterize the gastroprotective mechanism of action of EC using male rats. The gastroprotec...
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Series: | Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/708156 |
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doaj-e660445694dc42ab856fb8f347d3a8022020-11-24T21:20:09ZengHindawi LimitedEvidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine1741-427X1741-42882012-01-01201210.1155/2012/708156708156Morphologic and Pharmacological Investigations in the Epicatechin Gastroprotective EffectA. L. Rozza0C. A. Hiruma-Lima1A. Tanimoto2C. H. Pellizzon3Morphology Department, Biosciences Institute, UNESP-University Estadual Paulista, P.O. Box 510, 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, BrazilPhysiology Department, Biosciences Institute, UNESP-University Estadual Paulista, 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, BrazilMorphology Department, Biosciences Institute, UNESP-University Estadual Paulista, P.O. Box 510, 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, BrazilMorphology Department, Biosciences Institute, UNESP-University Estadual Paulista, P.O. Box 510, 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, BrazilPrevious studies of the gastroprotective activity of plants have highlighted the importance of the polyphenolic compound epicatechin (EC) in the treatment of gastric ulcers. This paper aimed to evaluate and characterize the gastroprotective mechanism of action of EC using male rats. The gastroprotective action of EC was analyzed in gastric ulcers induced by ethanol or indomethacin. The involvement of sulfhydryl (SH) groups, K+ATP channels, α2 adrenoceptors, gastric antisecretory activity, and the amount of mucus in the development of gastric ulcers were investigated. The lowest effective dose of EC providing gastroprotective effects was 50 mg/kg in the ethanol-induced gastric ulcers and 25 mg/kg in the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers. The gastroprotection seen upon treatment with EC was significantly decreased in rats pretreated with a SH compound reagent or an α2-receptor antagonist, but not with a K+ATP channel blocker. Furthermore, oral treatment with EC increased mucus production and decreased H+ secretion. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the involvement of superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), and heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) in the gastroprotection. These results demonstrate that EC provides gastroprotection through reinforcement of the mucus barrier and neutralization of gastric juice and this protection occurs through the involvement of SH compounds, α2-adrenoceptors, NO, SOD, and HSP-70.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/708156 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
A. L. Rozza C. A. Hiruma-Lima A. Tanimoto C. H. Pellizzon |
spellingShingle |
A. L. Rozza C. A. Hiruma-Lima A. Tanimoto C. H. Pellizzon Morphologic and Pharmacological Investigations in the Epicatechin Gastroprotective Effect Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine |
author_facet |
A. L. Rozza C. A. Hiruma-Lima A. Tanimoto C. H. Pellizzon |
author_sort |
A. L. Rozza |
title |
Morphologic and Pharmacological Investigations in the Epicatechin Gastroprotective Effect |
title_short |
Morphologic and Pharmacological Investigations in the Epicatechin Gastroprotective Effect |
title_full |
Morphologic and Pharmacological Investigations in the Epicatechin Gastroprotective Effect |
title_fullStr |
Morphologic and Pharmacological Investigations in the Epicatechin Gastroprotective Effect |
title_full_unstemmed |
Morphologic and Pharmacological Investigations in the Epicatechin Gastroprotective Effect |
title_sort |
morphologic and pharmacological investigations in the epicatechin gastroprotective effect |
publisher |
Hindawi Limited |
series |
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine |
issn |
1741-427X 1741-4288 |
publishDate |
2012-01-01 |
description |
Previous studies of the gastroprotective activity of plants have highlighted the importance of the polyphenolic compound epicatechin (EC) in the treatment of gastric ulcers. This paper aimed to evaluate and characterize the gastroprotective mechanism of action of EC using male rats. The gastroprotective action of EC was analyzed in gastric ulcers induced by ethanol or indomethacin. The involvement of sulfhydryl (SH) groups, K+ATP channels, α2 adrenoceptors, gastric antisecretory activity, and the amount of mucus in the development of gastric ulcers were investigated. The lowest effective dose of EC providing gastroprotective effects was 50 mg/kg in the ethanol-induced gastric ulcers and 25 mg/kg in the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers. The gastroprotection seen upon treatment with EC was significantly decreased in rats pretreated with a SH compound reagent or an α2-receptor antagonist, but not with a K+ATP channel blocker. Furthermore, oral treatment with EC increased mucus production and decreased H+ secretion. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the involvement of superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), and heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) in the gastroprotection. These results demonstrate that EC provides gastroprotection through reinforcement of the mucus barrier and neutralization of gastric juice and this protection occurs through the involvement of SH compounds, α2-adrenoceptors, NO, SOD, and HSP-70. |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/708156 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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