Mechanisms involved in the gastroprotective activity of Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sargent on gastric lesions in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Celtis iguanaea (Canabaceae) is popularly known as esporão-de-galo, stands out among the medicinal plants used for treatment of gastric ulcers. In Brazil, the leaves they are used traditionally in infusion forms as an analgesic, antiasthmatic, digestive and diuretic.

Aim of the study

The present study was aimed to investigate the antiulcer mechanisms of hexane extract Celtis iguanaea leaves (HE) in several induced-gastric ulcer and characterize its chemical composition.

Materials and methods

The HE was obtained by exhaustive extraction in Soxhlet apparatus. The chemical characterization of HE was performed by Electrospray Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS) analysis. Mice were used for the evaluation of the gastroprotective activity. HE was analyzed in the HCl/ethanol, hypothermic restraint stress ulcer and acetic acid. In the investigation of the gastroprotective mechanisms of HE, were performed the amount of adhered gastric mucus, participation of the α₂-adrenoceptor, nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins (PGs) using the HCl/ethanol-induced gastric mucosa lesion model.

Results

ESI FT-ICR MS analysis of HE suggest the presence of compounds as lipids, sterol lipids, steroids glycosides and polyphenol glycosides. The oral administration of HE at doses of 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg was able to protect the gastric mucosa against HCl/ethanol (10 mL/kg p.o.), and HE at dose of 100 mg/kg protected against hypothermic-restraint stress and acetic -induced gastric lesions. The pretreatment with Yoimbine (2 mg/kg, s.c.), an antagonist α₂-adrenergic, L-NAME (20 mg/kg, s.c.), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis or indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.), an inhibitor of prostaglandin production, reversed the gastroprotective activity of HE (100 mg/kg, p.o.).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the Celtis iguanaea HE exhibits gastroprotective activity in different gastric ulcer models. The mechanism of gastroprotective effect of Celtis iguanaea HE suggests the participation of mucus as well as the involvement of α₂-adrenergic receptors, NO and prostaglandins. The hydroxyl-linolenic acid, linoleic acids and conjugated oxo-linoleic acids are among the phytoconstituents that were identified in the Celtis iguanaea HE.