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Ethopharmacological relevance The propolis is extensively used in folk medicine in natura or to prepare pharmaceutical formulations since ancient time to improve health or prevent diseases, among them gastrointestinal disorders. Aiming to contribute in the scientific validation about the popular use of Brazilian Green propolis (BGP) against gastritis and gastric ulcer, this work evaluated the antiulcer potential of isolated compounds from BGP, three prenylated p -coumaric acid derivatives and two flavonoids, respectively named: 3,5 diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (artepillin C) ( 1 ), 3-prenyl-4-dihydroxycinnamoiloxy cinnamic acid (baccharin) ( 2 ), 3-prenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (drupanin) ( 3 ), aromadendrin-4′-O-methyl-ether ( 4 ) and kaempferide ( 5 ). Material and methods The compounds were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Their gastroprotective effects were evaluated against ethanol/HCl- and indomethacin-induced ulcer in mice. Further, histological, histochemical, oxidative and inflammatory parameters were analyzed at ulcerated tissue. Acid antisecretory activities also were also assessed. Results Compound 2 did not reduce the ethanol/HCl- induced ulcer at 30 mg/kg (p.o), whereas the minimum oral gastroprotective doses of 1 , 3 , 4 and 5 were 0.3, 0.3, 3 and 3 mg/kg, respectively. Besides, these compounds prevented ethanol/HCl-induced ulcer by intraperitoneal route, as well as indomethacin-induced ulcer by oral route. The gastroprotection was accompanied by normalization of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione- S -transferase activities and reduction in myeloperoxidase activity. Moreover, the compounds 4 and 5 increased the gastric mucin content and 1 reduced TNF amount. Furthermore, 1 , 3 , 4 and 5 decreased volume, pH, total acidity and pepsin activity of the gastric juice from rats. Conclusions Together, our findings showed a diversified mode of action elicited by 1 , 3 , 4 and 5 on the gastroprotection and contribute to explain the anti-ulcer activity reported for BGP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Dragon's blood is a dark-red sap produced by species from the genus Croton (Euphorbiaceae), which has been used as a famous traditional medicine since ancient times in many countries, with scarce data about its safe use in humans. In this research, we studied genotoxicity and clastogenicity of Croton palanostigma sap using the comet assay and micronucleus test in cells of mice submitted to acute treatment. Material and methods: HPLC analysis was performed to identify the main components of the sap. The sap was administered by oral gavage at doses of 300mg/kg, 1000mg/kg and 2000mg/kg. For the analysis, the comet assay was performed on the leukocytes and liver cells collected 24h after treatment, and the micronucleus test (MN) on bone marrow cells. Cytotoxicity was assessed by scoring 200 consecutive polychromatic (PCE) and normochromatic (NCE) erythrocytes (PCE/NCE ratio). Results and conclusion: The alkaloid taspine was the main compound indentified in the crude sap of Croton palanostigma. The results of the genotoxicity assessment show that all sap doses tested produced genotoxic effects in leukocytes and liver cells and also produced clastogenic/aneugenic effects in bone marrow cells of mice at the two higher doses tested. The PCE/NCE ratio indicated no cytotoxicity. The data obtained suggest caution in the use of Croton palanostigma sap by humans considering its risk of carcinogenesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Brassica oleracea var. acephala DC has been extensively used in Brazilian traditional medicine to treat gastric ulcer. Aim of the study: This study was conducted to evaluate the antiulcerogenic property of hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the leaves of Brassica oleracea. Materials and methods: Antiulcer assays were performed using the protocol of ulcer induced by ethanol/HCl, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Parameters of gastric secretion (volume, pH and [H+]) were determined by the pylorus ligation model and mucus in gastric contents. Results: In the ethanol-induced ulcer model, we observed a significant reduction in all the parameters analyzed, obtaining curative ratios of 58.8±11.5, 86.2±12.2 and 42.8±6.6% for the groups treated with 50 and 100mg/kg of extract and omeprazole (30mg/kg), respectively. The dose of 25mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of Brassica oleracea showed no significant results. In the indomethacin-induced ulcer, the percentages of ulcer inhibition were 64.3±9.9, 66.4±12.3 and 81.2±7.5% for the groups treated with 50 and 100mg/kg extract and positive control (cimetidine, 100mg/kg), respectively. The results showed a significant increase in pH and mucus production in the groups treated with Brassica oleracea when compared with the control group. No sign of toxicity was observed in the acute toxicity study. Conclusions: The results of the present study show that hydroalcoholic extract of Brassica oleracea displays antiulcer activity, as demonstrated by the significant inhibition of ulcer formation induced using different models. The data suggest that the effectiveness of the extract is based on its ability to stimulate the synthesis of mucus, increase pH and decrease H+ ions in the stomach. This work corroborates the ethnopharmacology use of Brassica oleracea preparations, contributing to its pharmacological validation by suggesting that preparations obtained from Brassica oleracea could be used for the development of new phytopharmaceuticals for the treatment of gastric ulcer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Maytenus robusta Reissek (Celesteraceae), popularly named as cafezinho do mato or coração de bugre , is employed to treat inflammatory digestive diseases in the south of Brazil. However, despite popular usage, the effects of this species on an experimental model of ulcerative colitis are unknown. To evaluate the effects of M. robusta extract (HEMR) on colon and liver from mice with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Firstly, the cytotoxicity of HEMR and its effects on ROS and nitrite production in IEC-6 cells were evaluated. The experimental colitis was established by adding 3% DSS on drinking water of mice and the effects of HEMR (1–100 mg/kg, p.o, once a day by 7 days) in colonic and hepatic tissues were analyzed. The HEMR (1–100 μg/mL) did not alter the cell viability but reduced nitrite production of IEC-6 stimulated by LPS. Moreover, HEMR (100 mg/Kg) attenuates macro and microscopic alterations in the colon from mice exposed to DSS, as evidenced by a reduction of the colon shortening, attenuation of the epithelial erosion, submucosal edema and preservation of the Goblet cells integrity, as well as the restoration of mucin depletion. The treatment with HEMR increased GSH amount, reduced LOOH levels and normalizes CAT activity in the colon. The group treated with HEMR showed increased GST activity, reduced MPO activity and decreased inflammatory cytokines secretion (TNF and IL-6) in the colonic tissue. In the liver, HEMR increased GST activity, decreased the GPx activity and reduced IL-6 levels. Furthermore, the HEMR treatment reduced AST and ALT serum levels in mice exposed to DSS. Finally, the HEMR was able to reduce intestinal transit. HEMR treatment minimizes inflammation of the colon and maintaining the antioxidant homeostasis. In addition, HEMR may be a potential tool to prevent hepatic injury secondary to ulcerative colitis. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the Study: In a previous study, our group described the gastric protective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian green propolis. The main compounds found in Brazilian green propolis include phenolic acids, such as: caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids. This study was therefore carried out to evaluate the antiulcerogenic property of the main phenolic acids found in Brazilian Green Propolis., Material and Methods: The anti-ulcer assays were performed using the following protocols: nonsteroidal-antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced ulcer, ethanol-induced ulcer, and stress-induced ulcer. The effects of the phenolic acids on gastric content volume, pH and total acidity, using the pylorus ligated model, were also evaluated., Results: It was observed that treatment using doses of 50 and 250 mg/kg of caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids and positive controls (omeprazol or cimetidine) significantly diminished the lesion index, the total area of the lesion and the percentage of lesion in comparison with the negative control groups. In addition, the percentage of ulcer inhibition was significantly higher in the groups treated with the different phenolic acids, cimetidine or omeprazol, in all the protocols used, compared with the negative control groups. In the model to determine gastric secretion, using ligated pylorus, treatment with phenolic acids and cimetidine reduced the volume of gastric juice and total acidity and significantly increased the gastric pH (p<0.05), compared with the control group, with the exception of the group treated with 50mg/kg of p-coumaric acid, in which no significant difference was observed, compared with the control. In relation to the acute toxicity, none sign of toxicity was observed when phenolic acids, used in this study, were administered for rats in dose of 2,000 mg/kg., Conclusions: In conclusion, the results of this study show that caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids display antiulcer activity.