Gastroprotective effect of standardized leaf extract from Careya arborea on experimental gastric ulcers in rats

From lab to nature: Recent advancements in the journey of gastroprotective agents from medicinal chemistry to phytotherapy

Peptic ulcer, affecting 10 % of the global population, results from imbalances in gastric juice pH and diminished mucosal defences. Key underlying factors are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Helicobacter pylori infection, undermining mucosal resistance. Traditional treatments like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonists exhibit drawbacks such as adverse effects, relapses, and drug interactions. This review extensively explores the ethnomedicinal, synthetic and pharmacological facets of various potential peptic ulcer treatments. Rigorous methodologies involving electronic databases, and chemical structure verification via 'PubChem' and 'SciFinder' enhance the review's credibility. The provided information, spanning medicinal insights to intricate pharmacological mechanisms, establishes a robust groundwork for future research and the development of plant-derived or synthetic molecules for peptic ulcers, offering a promising alternative to conventional therapies.

Streptomyces isolate SOM013, a potential agent against microbial resistance and gastric ulcers

The menace of microbial resistance and re-emerging disease is still a problem for healthcare givers globally, and the need for newer sources of potent antibiotics has become paramount. This study investigated the antimicrobial and antiulcer activities of Streptomyces isolate SOM013. Streptomyces isolates were cultivated and purified following standard microbiological protocols. Secondary metabolites were recovered and characterized from Streptomyces isolate SOM013 via broth fermentation and extraction. Varying concentrations (0.5 mg/mL, 0.025 mg/mL and 0.0125 mg/mL) of the SOM013 extract were used for antimicrobial screening against resistant bacteria and medically important fungi (methicillin-resistant Escherichia coli, Oxacillin resistant Helicobacter pylori, Shigella spp, extended broad-spectrum resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus spp, Campylobacter spp, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus). The antiulcer activity of the SOM013 was also examined in a methanol-induced gastric ulcer animal model. A total of 23 Streptomyces spp were recovered from the study. Methanolic extract of the SOM013 isolates was more potent across the clinical test microorganisms compared to water extract. The antimicrobial activity was dose dependent, with methanolic extract at 0.05 g/mL displaying the highest zone of inhibition (18.8 ± 0.3 mm) when tested against extended broad-spectrum resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Further, the extract's ulcer index and protection efficacy were significant as the concentration increased (P < 0.01). SOM013 isolate has a moderate antimicrobial and high antiulcer activity worthy of pharmacological exploration.

Phytochemical profile and ethnopharmacological applications of Lecythidaceae: An overview

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The family Lecythidaceae has about 25 genera and 400 identified species, which are distributed especially in the pantropical region, mostly found in the tropics of Central and South America, Southeast Asia and Africa. The third most abundant family in Amazonian forests and the genus Eschweilera, with the large number of species in Lecythidaceae.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The present review compiles information since the 1934s about of ethnopharmacology, and chemical constituents of species of Lecythidaceae, as well as a summary of the bioactivities shown by the extracts, fractions, and secondary metabolites.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All relevant information on ethnopharmacology, and chemical constituents of species of Lecythidaceae were gathered from electronic databases including Web of Science, Science Direct, Elsevier, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar. Information was also obtained from local books, PhD. and MSc. Dissertations.

RESULTS

The phytochemical diversity of the family was demonstrated with 180 different metabolites that have been reported from 25 species, most of them being triterpenes or flavonoids. The pharmacological studies carried out with the extracts, fractions and compounds showed promising antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities.

CONCLUSION

The present review provides an insight into ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of species of Lecythidaceae. Based on the pharmacological studies it has been found that different plant species of Lecythidaceae possess a wide range of bioactivities such as anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, antileishmanial, antibacterial and antifungal. These activities are due to the presence of bioactive compounds including triterpenoids and their glycosides derivatives, flavonoids, steroids, sesquiterpenoids, alkaloids, and other compounds. However, there are many plants, which have not been assessed pharmacologically and hence warrant further studies.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers for Antiulcer Treatment

For centuries, many kinds of native plants and their products have been used for the treatment of gastric ulcers by traditional healers in Phayao province. The current study aimed to investigate the polyphenol content in some of these medicinal plants and to point out the relationship between their antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory activities. Six species were selected based on ethnopharmacologic considerations: Punica granatum L., Psidium guajava L., Careya arborea Roxb., Gochnatia decora (Kurz) Cabr., Shorea obtusa Wall. ex Blume, and Ficus hispida L.f. The leaves or bark of these plants were extracted with 70% ethanol and water. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the extracts were analyzed based on nitric oxide (NO) and proinflammatory cytokine production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and through the determination of scavenging activity. The results demonstrated that the ethanol extract from P. granatum and P. guajava leaves significantly inhibited NO production by suppressing nitric oxide synthase. The extracts also inhibited tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6 in terms of both mRNA and protein levels and possessed high antioxidants. These extracts were shown to contain the highest amount of polyphenols. Our study concluded that among the plants studied, P. granatum and P. guajava have the most significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and polyphenols. These plants may have the potential for use in gastric ulcer therapy due to their indicated properties. Future research should focus on the isolation of their active compounds and their in vivo biological activities. Their beneficial applications need to be warranted by such evidence.

Antiulcer Activity and Potential Mechanism of Action of the Leaves of Spondias mombin L

Spondias mombin L. is used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation and gastrointestinal diseases. Our study investigated the antiulcer activity of S. mombin ethanolic extract (SmEE) and its majority compounds gallic acid (GA) and ellagic acid (EA). Phytochemical characterization was performed by HPLC. The SmEE was screened for in vitro antioxidant activities using phosphomolybdenum, ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. The antiulcer activity of SmEE, GA, EA, or GA + EA was evaluated by gastric lesion models induced by absolute ethanol and indomethacin. Following this, it is capable of stimulating mucus production, antisecretory capacity, and the influence of −SH groups and NO in the effect of SmEE. Its healing activity was demonstrated by acetic acid-induced chronic ulcer model. Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity was assessed by determining the MIC of the SmEE (64–1024 μg/mL). The HPLC results identified the presence of gallic acid and ellagic acid in SmEE. The extract showed antioxidant activity in vitro. SmEE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) reduced the area of ulcerative lesions induced by ethanol in 23.8, 90.3, and 90.2%, respectively. In NSAID model, the SmEE induced protection of 36.8, 49.4, and 49.9%, respectively. GA (10 mg/kg) or EA (7 mg/kg) or the association of GA + EA (10 + 7 mg/kg) inhibited the ethanol-induced lesions in 71.8, 70.9, and 94.9%, respectively, indicating synergistic action. SmEE (100 mg/kg) decreased acid secretion and H⁺ concentration in the gastric contents, increased levels of mucus, and showed to be dependent of −SH groups and NO on the protection of the gastric mucosa. In chronic ulcer model, SmEE reduced the gastric area lesion. SmEE showed anti-H. pylori activity. In conclusion, our study showed that SmEE has antiulcerogenic activity. GA and EA are isolated gastric protectors and, when associated, acted synergistically to protect the gastric mucosa.