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The effect of cannabinoid drugs (i.p.) on cold/restraint stress-induced gastric ulcers was studied in rats. The cannabinoid receptor agonist (WIN 55,212-2, 0.1-1 mg/kg), but not the less active isomer WIN 55,212-3 (1 mg/kg), reduced gastric ulceration. The protective effect of WIN 55,212-2 (1 mg/kg) was counteracted by the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A, but not by the cannabinoid CB2 receptor antagonist SR144528. These results indicate that the antiulcer effect of the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 is mediated by cannabinoid CB1 receptors.

Pteleopsis suberosa Engl. et Diels was used in the traditional medicine of Mali for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers. In an ethnopharmacological approach, Pteleopsis suberosa extracts of the stem bark were investigated for antiulcer and antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori standard strains and clinical isolates. The decoction, the traditional form of administration of the drug in Mali, and the methanolic extract were active against all the bacterial strains tested. The minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 62.5 to 500 microg/ml for the decoction and from 31.25 to 250 microg/ml for the methanolic extract. The results indicate that Pteleopsis suberosa may be a source of compounds with a therapeutic potential against gastric ulcers associated with Helicobacter pylori infections.

The bark Pteleopsis suberosa is commonly used in Mali for the treatment of gastric ulcers. The present study evaluated the antiulcerogenic property of chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extracts and of decoction of P. suberosa bark against ulcer lesions induced by ethanol and indomethacin in rats. The results tend to confirm the popular use of the plant.