Mechanisms of the Gastric Antiulcerogenic Activity of Anacardium humile St. Hil on Ethanol-Induced Acute Gastric Mucosal Injury in Rats

• Main Authors: Alba Regina Monteiro Souza Brito, Wagner Vilegas, Lourdes Campaner Santos, Clélia Akiko Hiruma-Lima, Cláudia Helena Pellizzon, Elisângela Farias-Silva, Ana Beatriz Albino de Almeida, Leônia Maria Batista, Anderson Luiz-Ferreira, Ana Cristina Alves de Almeida, Victor Barbastefano, Maíra Cola
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2010-10-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: Anacardium humile; antiulcer activity; cytoprotection; medicinal plants
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/15/10/7153/

Leaves and bark infusions Anacardium humile St. Hil. (Anacardiaceae), known as in Brazil as “cajuzinho do cerrado”, have been used in folk medicine as an alternative treatment for ulcers and gastritis. This study evaluated the gastroprotective activity of an ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of A. humile (AcF) and the mechanism involved in this gastroprotection. Pretreatment concentrations (50, 100, 200 mg.kg−1) were administered by gavage. Following a 60 min. period, all the rats were orally administered 1 mL of absolute ethanol. One hour after the administration of ethanol, all groups were sacrificed, and the gastric ulcer index was calculated. Prostaglandin PGE2 concentration, gastric adherent mucous, and the participation of nitric oxide (NO) and sulfhydryl compounds in the gastroprotection process were also analyzed using the most effective tested dose (50 mg·kg−1). A histological study of the glandular stomach for the evaluation of the epithelial damage and mucus content was also performed. AcF significantly reduced the gastric damage produced by ethanol. This effect was statistically significant for the 50 mg·kg−1 group compared to control. Also, it significantly increased the PGE2 (by 10-fold) and mucous production, while pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) completely abolished the gastroprotection. AcF has a protective effect against ethanol, and this effect, might be due to the augmentation of the protective mechanisms of mucosa.