New steroidal saponins and antiulcer activity from Solanum paniculatum L

Chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of the aerial part of Solanum betaceum Cav. (Solanaceae)

A new saponin namely diosgeninoside (25 R-spirost-5-en-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl (1→2) - β-D-glucuronic acid]) and a new fatty acid betacic acid: (Z)-8(S*),9(S*),10(R*)-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid together with six known compounds: N-trans-coumaroyl tyramine, ergosta-7,22-dien-3β,5α,6β-triol, β-sitosterol, and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, L-threitol and soya-cerebroside I were isolated from the methanolic extract of Solanum betaceum. The structures were elucidated by interpretation of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra and spectrometric data. The methanolic extract, the EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions, and several isolated compounds were tested for antibacterial activity against four bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Escherichia coli; and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The methanolic extract and the EtOAc fraction showed moderate activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MIC value of 128 µg/mL. Compound 1 showed moderate activity against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC value of 64 µg/mL.

Microparticles and nanoparticles-based approaches to improve oral treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped, flagellated bacterium that colonizes the stomach of half the world's population. Helicobacter pylori infection causes pathologies of varying severity. Standard oral therapy fails in 15-20% since the barriers of the oral route decrease the bioavailability of antibiotics and the intrinsic factors of bacteria increase the rates of resistance. Nanoparticles and microparticles are promising strategies for drug delivery into the gastric mucosa and targeting H. pylori. The variety of building blocks creates systems with distinct colloidal, surface, and biological properties. These features improve drug-pathogen interactions, eliminate drug depletion and overuse, and enable the association of multiple actives combating H. pylori on several fronts. Nanoparticles and microparticles are successfully used to overcome the barriers of the oral route, physicochemical inconveniences, and lack of selectivity of current therapy. They have proven efficient in employing promising anti-H. pylori compounds whose limitation is oral route instability, such as some antibiotics and natural products. However, the current challenge is the applicability of these strategies in clinical practice. For this reason, strategies employing a rational design are necessary, including in the development of nano- and microsystems for the oral route.

A newly identified β-amyrin synthase gene hypothetically involved in oleanane-saponin biosynthesis from Talinum paniculatum (Jacq.) Gaertn

Talinum paniculatum or Javanese ginseng in Indonesia is a plant widely used as a traditional medicine. The genus Talinum produces oleanane-type saponins, such as talinumoside I. The first aim of this study was to isolate the probable gene encoding β-amyrin synthase (bAS), a key enzyme involved in the cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene producing the backbone of the oleanane-type saponin β-amyrin and characterize the gene sequence and the predicted protein sequence using in silico approach. The second aim was to analyze the correlation between the TpbAS gene expression level and saponin production in various plant organs. Thus, TpbAS was isolated using degenerate primers and PCR 5'/3'-Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE), then the gene sequence and the predicted protein were in silico analyzed using various programs. TpbAS expression level was analyzed using reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), and saponin content was measured using a spectrophotometer. The results showed that the full-length TpbAS gene consists of 2298 base pairs encoding for a 765-amino acid protein. From in silico study, the (GA)n sequence was identified in the 5'-untranslated regions and predicted to be a candidate of the gene expression modulator. In addition, functional RNA motifs and sites analysis predicted the presence of exon splicing enhancers and silencers within the coding sequence and miRNA target sites candidate. Amino acid sequence analysis showed DCTAE, QW, and WCYCR motifs that were conserved in all classes of oxidosqualene cyclase enzymes. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that TpbAS is closely related to other plant oxidosqualene cyclase groups. Analysis of TpbAS expression and saponin content indicated that saponin is mainly synthesized and accumulated in the leaves. Taken together, these findings will assist in increasing the saponin content through a metabolic engineering approach.

Eight undescribed steroidal saponins including an unprecedented 16, 26-epoxy-furostanol saponin from Solanum xanthocarpum and their cytotoxic activities

Eight undescribed steroidal saponins named solasaponins A-H were isolated from the fruits of Solanum xanthocarpum, including an unusual 16,26-epoxy-furostanol saponin, two furostanol saponins, three isospirostanol saponins, two pseudo-spirostanol saponins. The structures of all compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data analyses (1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS) combined with physico-chemical analysis methods (acid hydrolysis, optical rotation, and IR). The cytotoxicities of all compounds in vitro against two human cancer cell lines (A-549 and HepG2) were evaluated by CCK-8 assay.

Xanthosaponins A and B, two unusual steroidal saponins with an unprecedented 16,17-seco-cholestane skeleton from Solanum xanthocarpum and their cytotoxic activities

Xanthosaponin A, a 16,17-seco-steroidal saponin, exhibited significant cytotoxic activity.

Phytocompounds from Himalayan Medicinal Plants as Potential Drugs to Treat Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella typhimurium: An In Silico Approach

Medicinal plants can be used as natural therapeutics to treat diseases in humans. Enteric bacteria possess efflux pumps to remove bile salts from cells to avoid potential membrane damage. Resistance to bile and antibiotics is associated with the survival of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium) within a host. The present study aimed to investigate the binding affinity of major phytocompounds derived from 35 medicinal plants of the North Western Himalayas with the RamR protein (PDB ID 6IE9) of S. typhimurium. Proteins and ligands were prepared using AutoDock software 1.5.6. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina and MD simulation was performed at 100 ns. Drug likeness and toxicity predictions of hit phytocompounds were evaluated using molinspiration and ProTox II online servers. Moreover, docking, drug likeness, and toxicity results revealed that among all the selected phytocompounds, beta-sitosterol exhibited the most efficacious binding affinity with RamR protein (PDB ID 6IE9) and was nontoxic in nature. MD simulation data revealed that beta-sitosterol in complex with 6IE9 can be used as an antimicrobial. Furthermore, beta-sitosterol is stable in the binding pocket of the target protein; hence, it can be further explored as a drug to inhibit resistance-nodulation-division efflux pumps.

Evaluation of the antiulcerogenic activity of hydromethanol extracts of Solanum incanum L. (Solanaceae) leaves and roots in mice; single and repeated dose study

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiulcer activity of hydromethanol extracts of Solanum incanum L. (Solanaceae) leaves and roots in mice.

Methods

The antiulcerogenic activity of the plant extracts were evaluated using Pylorus ligation and ethanol induced gastric ulcers in fasted mice. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA, and P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Result:Pylorus ligation-induced ulcer

Single dose and repeated daily dose administration of the leaf and root extracts for 10 days didn't significantly (P > 0.05) affect pH, total acidity and volume of gastric secretion. Single dose of both extracts significantly reduced ulcer score (P = 0.036) and ulcer index (leaf, P = 0.037; root, P = 0.041) at the dose of 400 mg/kg. Similarly, significant reduction in ulcer score was observed after repeated daily treatment with 200 mg/kg (P = 0.030) and 400 mg/kg (P = 0.005) of the leaf extract and 400 mg/kg (P = 0.005) of the root extract. In addition, repeated administration of 400 mg/kg of the leaf (P = 0.004) and root (P = 0.005) extracts significantly reduced ulcer index.

Ethanol-induced ulcer

Single dose of both extracts significantly reduced ulcer score at the dose of 200 mg/kg (leaf, P = 0.017; root, P = 0.036) and 400 mg/kg (leaf, P = 0.001; root, P = 0.001). Similarly, 200 mg/kg (leaf, P = 0.002; root, P = 0.018) and 400 mg/kg (leaf, P = 0.001; root, P = 0.001) of the extracts significantly reduced ulcer index after single dose treatment. Repeated daily treatment with leaf and root extracts for ten days caused a significant (P = 0.037, 0.001 and 0.001 for 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg leaf extract; P = 0.026, 0.018 and 0.001 for 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg root extract, respectively) reduction in ulcer score. In addition, both extracts significantly (P = 0.041, 0.004 and 0.000 for 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg leaf extract; P = 0.038, 0.008 and 0.000 for 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg root extract, respectively) reduced ulcer index after 10 days of treatment.

Conclusion

This study has revealed hydromethanol extracts of Solanum incanum leaves and roots have antiulcerogenic activity using in vivo models. The antiulcer activity of the plant is not related to acid anti-secretory action, suggesting the plant may have cytoprotective effect on the gastric mucosa.

An enquiry into antileishmanial activity and quantitative analysis of polyhydroxylated steroidal saponins from Solanum paniculatum L. leaves

Solanum paniculatum L. is species whose fruits are widely consumed in Brazil as a tonic beverage with higher content of steroidal saponins. In this work, we developed an analytical method for the quantification of the eight saponins present in the 70 % ethanol extract from the leaves using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). Besides, the eight spirostanic saponins were screened for in vitro antileishmanial activity against promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis. Substances 1, 2 and 3 were found to be the most active compounds, with inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of 8.51 ± 4.38, 10.75 ± 6.85 and 10.45 ± 4.21 μM, respectively, against promastigote forms and effective concentration (EC₅₀) values of >25, 17.73 ± 0.99 and 19.57 ± 0.84 μM, respectively, against amastigote forms. The cytotoxic test with compounds 1-3 evidenced low toxicity in murine macrophage cells, with values above 50 μM at concentration lower than 25 μM. These findings show that saponins 1-3 should be evaluated in further studies for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Plants against Helicobacter pylori to combat resistance: An ethnopharmacological review

Worldwide, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is regarded as the major etiological agent of peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma. Claiming about 50 percent of the world population is infected with H. pylori while therapies for its eradication have failed because of many reasons including the acquired resistance against its antibiotics. Hence, the need to find new anti-H.pylori medications has become a hotspot with the urge of searching for alternative, more potent and safer inhibitors. In the recent drug technology scenario, medicinal plants are suggested as repositories for novel synthetic substances. Hitherto, is considered as ecofriendly, simple, more secure, easy, quick, and less toxic traditional treatment technique. This review is to highlight the anti-H. pylori medicinal plants, secondary metabolites and their mode of action with the aim of documenting such plants before they are effected by cultures and traditions that is expected as necessity.

Hydroethanolic Extract of Solanum paniculatum L. Fruits Modulates ROS and Cytokine in Human Cell Lines

Solanum paniculatum L. or popularly known as “jurubeba” is an herbal medicinal plant. A few studies have investigated its biological effects; however, research aimed at elucidating the redox balance effects from its fruits has not been reported so far. ROS interplays in various fields of medicine such as chemotherapy. Here, we evaluated antioxidant and inflammatory activities of the hydroethanolic extract of Solanum Paniculatum L. (HESPL) fruits in breast cancer cells, as well as its phytochemical profile. The antioxidant profile (carotenoids and phenolic compounds) was obtained by HPLC-DAD-UV and HPLC-APCI-MS. Cancer cell lines and human vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultivated and treated with 1.87-30 μg/mL of HESPL for 24 hrs. Cytotoxicity, oxidative, and inflammation biomarkers were evaluated. The dose of 30 μg/mL of the HESPL extract presented cytotoxicity in the MCF-7 cell line. However, for MDA-MB-231, the cytotoxicity was observed in the dose of 1.87 g/mL. The 1.87 μg/mL and 3.75 μg/mL doses decreased the concentration of IL-6 in MCF-7 cells. In the MDA-MB-231 cells, the HESPL did not decrease the IL-6 concentration; however, in the doses of 15 and 30 μg/mL, an increase in this parameter was observed. The HESPL increased IL-1β concentration in HUVECs. The ROS level in MCF-7 was elevated only at the 30 μg/ml dose. Regarding MDA-MB-231, HESPL promoted increased ROS levels at all doses tested. HUVEC showed no increase in ROS under any dose. HESPL treatment may modulate cytotoxicity, ROS, and cytokine levels due to its phytochemical profile, and it has shown an antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effect.

Gastroprotective effects of Erythrina speciosa (Fabaceae) leaves cultivated in Egypt against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Members of the genus Erythrina have been traditionally used in the treatment of various ailments such as inflammation and gastrointestinal disorders. Erythrina speciosa (Fabaceae) is a spiny, deciduous shrub or small tree native to Southern America in Brazil. It is cultivated in Africa and Asia. The traditional usage of E. speciosa indicated its antibacterial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Evaluation of the phytochemical constituents, gastroprotective effects and possible mechanism of action of the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from the methanol extract of E. speciosa leaves (ESLE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemical characterization of ESLE was done using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The gastroprotective activity of ESLE was evaluated using ethanol-induced gastric-ulcer model in rats. Rats were pre-treated with ESLE 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg 1 h before the administration of absolute ethanol. Histological analysis, mucin content, and total acidity were evaluated. The possible mechanism of action of ESLE was studied through the examination of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, PGE2, and NF-κB, iNOS, COX-2, and HSP-70 immunoexpression. In vitro, anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of ESLE was also studied using micro-well dilution method.

RESULTS

Fourteen compounds were tentatively identified including alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. ESLE exerted a powerful gastroprotective effect. The pre-treatment with ESLE at different doses resulted in a significant reduction in gastric lesions and significant elevation in the mucin production. These effects could be partially mediated by the potent anti-inflammatory activity of ESLE as evidenced by the significant reduction in the immunoexpression of NF-κB, COX-2, iNOS and the reduction in the pro-inflammatory marker, TNF-α. ESLE counteracted the ethanol-induced oxidative stress by increasing the levels of depleted GSH and catalase as well as significantly attenuating the ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation tissue levels. In addition, ESLE exhibited in vitro antibacterial activity against H. pylori.

CONCLUSIONS

The chemical constituents of ESLE strongly support its potent gastroprotective effect suggesting its future potential application in the management of gastric ulcer by eliminating its symptoms and causes including H. pylori.

The Genus Solanum: An Ethnopharmacological, Phytochemical and Biological Properties Review

Over the past 30 years, the genus Solanum has received considerable attention in chemical and biological studies. Solanum is the largest genus in the family Solanaceae, comprising of about 2000 species distributed in the subtropical and tropical regions of Africa, Australia, and parts of Asia, e.g., China, India and Japan. Many of them are economically significant species. Previous phytochemical investigations on Solanum species led to the identification of steroidal saponins, steroidal alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, lignans, sterols, phenolic comopunds, coumarins, amongst other compounds. Many species belonging to this genus present huge range of pharmacological activities such as cytotoxicity to different tumors as breast cancer (4T1 and EMT), colorectal cancer (HCT116, HT29, and SW480), and prostate cancer (DU145) cell lines. The biological activities have been attributed to a number of steroidal saponins, steroidal alkaloids and phenols. This review features 65 phytochemically studied species of Solanum between 1990 and 2018, fetched from SciFinder, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Wikipedia and Baidu, using "Solanum" and the species' names as search terms ("all fields").

Recent advances in steroidal saponins biosynthesis and in vitro production

Steroidal saponins exhibited numerous pharmacological activities due to the modification of their backbone by different cytochrome P450s (P450) and UDP glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Plant-derived steroidal saponins are not sufficient for utilizing them for commercial purpose so in vitro production of saponin by tissue culture, root culture, embryo culture, etc, is necessary for its large-scale production. Saponin glycosides are the important class of plant secondary metabolites, which consists of either steroidal or terpenoidal backbone. Due to the existence of a wide range of medicinal properties, saponin glycosides are pharmacologically very important. This review is focused on important medicinal properties of steroidal saponin, its occurrence, and biosynthesis. In addition to this, some recently identified plants containing steroidal saponins in different parts were summarized. The high throughput transcriptome sequencing approach elaborates our understanding related to the secondary metabolic pathway and its regulation even in the absence of adequate genomic information of non-model plants. The aim of this review is to encapsulate the information related to applications of steroidal saponin and its biosynthetic enzymes specially P450s and UGTs that are involved at later stage modifications of saponin backbone. Lastly, we discussed the in vitro production of steroidal saponin as the plant-based production of saponin is time-consuming and yield a limited amount of saponins. A large amount of plant material has been used to increase the production of steroidal saponin by employing in vitro culture technique, which has received a lot of attention in past two decades and provides a way to conserve medicinal plants as well as to escape them for being endangered.

New Polyhydroxylated Steroidal Saponins from Solanum paniculatum L. Leaf Alcohol Tincture with Antibacterial Activity against Oral Pathogens

Solanum paniculatum L. is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of liver and gastrointestinal disorders as well as for culinary purposes and beverage production. Fractionation of hydroalcoholic [ethanol (EtOH) 70%] tincture from S. paniculatum leaves led to the isolation of six new spirostanic saponins which included 6- O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(22 S,23 R,25 S)-3β,6α,23-trihydroxy-5α-spirostane (1), 6- O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(22 S,23 R,25 R)-3β,6α,23-trihydroxy-5α-spirostane (4), 3- O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(22 S,23 S,25 R)-3β,6α,23-trihydroxy-5α-spirostane (5), 3- O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(22 S,23 S,25 R)-3β,6α,23-trihydroxy-5α-spirostane (6), 6- O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(22 S,25 S)-1β,3β,6α-trihydroxy-5α-spirostane (7), and 6- O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(22 S,25 S)-3β,4β,6α-trihydroxy-5α-spirostane (8) together with two known spirostanic saponins (2, 3). The structures of these compounds were determined by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR experiments in addition to high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) analyses. The 70% alcohol tincture, used as phytomedicine, exhibited promising activities against oral pathogens, including, Steptococcus sanguinis, St. oralis, St. mutans, St. mitis, and Lactobacillus casei with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 6.25 to 50 μg/mL. The saponin fraction, nonetheless, showed lower activity against all the strains tested (from 100 to >400 μg/mL).

Solanum paniculatum L. decreases levels of inflammatory cytokines by reducing NFKB, TBET and GATA3 gene expression in vitro

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Solanum paniculatum L., popularly known as jurubeba, is a common subtropical plant from Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina, that is used in folk medicine for the treatment of anemia, gastrointestinal disorders and inflammatory conditions in general. In addition to that, an ethnobotanical survey in "Todos os Santos" Bay have pointed out S. paniculatum as an herb to treat asthma. Previous publications have shown that S. paniculatum possesses antibiotic, antioxidant and modulatory effects on gastric acid secretion; however, its anti-inflammatory potential remains unexplored.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Herein, we analyzed the S. paniculatum fruits hexane extract (SpE) for the presence of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol and investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of SpE in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SpE was subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for standardization and quantification of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol. Spleen cells from BALB/c mice were cultivated and stimulated with pokeweed mitogen and also exposed to 15, 30 and 60µg/mL of SpE. Following treatment, levels of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 in the culture supernatants were assessed by ELISA. We also evaluated nitric oxide (NO) production by murine LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages using the Griess technique. In addition, the ability of SpE to stabilize membranes was assessed using a model of hemolysis induced by heat on murine erythrocytes. Gene expression of Th1-cell-specific Tbx21 transcription factor (TBET), zinc-finger transcription factor-3 (GATA3), and nuclear factor-κB (NFKB) in murine spleen cells were assessed by quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

SpE at 15, 30 and 60µg/mL significantly attenuated cell proliferation, decreased IL-4 release, reduced NO production and improved erythrocyte membrane stabilization in a concentration-dependent manner. SpE was also able to decrease the release of IFN-γ without altering IL-10 levels. The mechanism whereby SpE decreased inflammatory markers may be related to the reduction of NFKB, TBET and GATA3 gene expression.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to test the anti-inflammatory action of S. paniculatum. Herein, we provided evidence for the popular use of S. paniculatum in inflammatory conditions. Additional studies must be conducted to further explore the anti-inflammatory potential of SpE and to elucidate possible clinical applications.

In vitro Effects of Four Native Brazilian Medicinal Plants in CYP3A4 mRNA Gene Expression, Glutathione Levels, and P-Glycoprotein Activity

Erythrina mulungu Benth. (Fabaceae), Cordia verbenacea A. DC. (Boraginaceae), Solanum paniculatum L. (Solanaceae) and Lippia sidoides Cham. (Verbenaceae) are medicinal plant species native to Brazil shortlisted by the Brazilian National Health System for future clinical use. However, nothing is known about their effects in metabolic and transporter proteins, which could potentially lead to herb-drug interactions (HDI). In this work, we assess non-toxic concentrations (100 μg/mL) of the plant infusions for their in vitro ability to modulate CYP3A4 mRNA gene expression and intracellular glutathione levels in HepG2 cells, as well as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity in vincristine-resistant Caco-2 cells (Caco-2 VCR). Their mechanisms of action were further studied by measuring the activation of human pregnane X receptor (hPXR) in transiently co-transfected HeLa cells and the inhibition of γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in HepG2 cells. Our results show that P-gp activity was not affected in any case and that only Solanum paniculatum was able to significantly change CYP3A4 mRNA gene expression (twofold decrease, p < 0.05), this being correlated with an antagonist effect upon hPXR (EC50 = 0.38 mg/mL). Total intracellular glutathione levels were significantly depleted by exposure to Solanum paniculatum (-44%, p < 0.001), Lippia sidoides (-12%, p < 0.05) and Cordia verbenacea (-47%, p < 0.001). The latter plant extract was able to decrease GGT activity (-48%, p < 0.01). In conclusion, this preclinical study shows that the administration of some of these herbal medicines may be able to cause disturbances to metabolic mechanisms in vitro. Although Erythrina mulungu appears safe in our tests, active pharmacovigilance is recommended for the other three species, especially in the case of Solanum paniculatum.

Gastroprotective activity of the hydroethanolic extract and isolated compounds from the leaves of Solanum cernuum Vell

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Solanum cernuum Vell. (Solanaceae) is a Brazilian medicinal plant, traditionally known as "panaceia". Its folk name is probably due to its wide range of applications in traditional medicine including the treatment of ulcers.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the gastroprotective activities of the hydroethanolic extract (ESC) of S. cernuum and its major isolated compounds using in vivo gastric ulcer models.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The ESC extract was obtained by maceration followed by percolation of the dried and powdered leaves of S. cernuum in ethanol:water (7:3). The major compounds in the extract were isolated by applying various preparative chromatographic techniques. The gastroprotective activity was evaluated in mice using different gastric ulcer-induced models. The anti-Helicobacter pylori activity was performed using the agar-well diffusion and broth microdilution methods.

RESULTS

The ESC extract showed gastroprotective effects in the assay of acute gastric ulcer-induced by HCl/EtOH, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and acetic acid-induced chronic ulcer protocols. The results also demonstrated that the gastroprotection induced by ESC extract is related to the activity of nitric oxide and endogenous sulfhydryls, which are important gastroprotective factors. The ESC extract and the alkaloid cernumidine did not show activity against H. pylori in the concentrations tested.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed that the crude extract of S. cernuum possessed gastroprotective activity which corroborating the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of gastric ulcers. The isolated flavonoids, quercitrin and afzelin as well as the phenylpropanoid, isoferulic acid are suggested to be the compounds responsible for the gastroprotective activity of S. cernuum extract.