Isolation of a rhamnogalacturonan polysaccharide from Spilanthes oleracea with gastroprotective and healing effects

The aim of this study was to investigate the gastroprotective and healing effects of rhamnogalacturonan polysaccharide [RGal (1)] isolated from S. oleracea. Oral treatment of animals with RGal (1–30mg/kg) reduced the ethanol-induced acute gastric lesions with ED₅₀ of 1.5mg/kg (A), without alter the protective factors of gastric mucosa, mucus and reduced glutathione (GSH). Besides, i.p. administration of RGal (0.01–1mg/kg) also inhibited the gastric lesions induced by ethanol, increasing the mucus, but not the GSH levels of gastric mucosa. Furthermore, RGal (10 and 30mg/kg) showed healing property in the model of chronic gastric ulcer induced by 80% acetic acid (B). These results showed that RGal has an interesting gastroprotective and healing activity; however, more studies must be carried out to identify the mechanisms of action.