Mechanism(s) of action underlying the gastroprotective effect of ethyl acetate fraction obtained from the crude methanolic leaves extract of Muntingia calabura. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zakaria, Zainul; Balan, Tavamani; Azemi, Ahmad; Omar, Maizatul; Mohtarrudin, Norhafizah; Ahmad, Zuraini; Abdullah, Muhammad; Desa, Mohd.; Teh, Lay; Salleh, Mohd.
• Is Part Of: BMC complementary and alternative medicine. Volume 16:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Muntingia calabura -- Fraction -- Gastric ulcer -- Antisecretory -- Antioxidant -- Nitric oxide -- Sulfhydryl compound -- Prostaglandin -- Quercetin -- Gallic acid; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; Complementary Therapies -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1041-0
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-6882

Abstract

Abstract Background Muntingia calabura L. (family Muntingiaceae), commonly known as Jamaican cherry orkerukup siam in Malaysia, is used traditionally to treat various ailments. The aim of this study is to elucidate the possible underlying gastroprotective mechanisms of ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) ofMuntingia calabura methanolic leaves extract (MEMC). Methods MEMC and its fractions were subjected to HPLC analysis to identify and quantify the presence of its phyto-constituents. The mechanism of gastroptotection of EAF was further investigated using pylorus ligation-induced gastric lesion rat model (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg). Macroscopic analysis of the stomach, evaluation of gastric content parameters such as volume, pH, free and total acidity, protein estimation, and quantification of mucus were carried out. The participation of nitric oxide (NO) and sulfhydryl (SH) compounds was evaluated and the superoxide dismutase (SOD), gluthathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) and NO level in the ethanol induced stomach tissue homogenate was determined. Results HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of quercetin and gallic acid in EAF. In pylorus-ligation model, EAF significantly (p <0.001) prevent gastric lesion formation. Volume of gastric content and total protein content reduced significantly (p < 0.01 andp < 0.05, respectively), while free and total acidity reduced in the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg (p <0.001 andp <0.05, respectively). EAF also augmented the mucus content significantly (p < 0.001). Pre-treatment with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) reversed the gastroprotective activity of EAF. EAF treatment markedly ameliorated the SOD, GSH and CAT activity and PGE2 and NO level while attenuating MDA level, relative to the vehicle group. Conclusions In conclusion, the underlying gastroprotective mechanisms of EAF could be associated with the antisecretory, participation of mucus, antiperoxidative, improvement of antioxidant status, modulation of NO and SH compounds, stimulation of PGE2 as well as presence of quercetin and gallic acid.