Planta Med 2012; 78 - PI180
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1320868

Effects of dichloromethane fraction from fruits of Piper tuberculatum Jacq on gastric ulcer and reflux esophagitis in rats

LM da Silva 1, LM Burci 1, IT Pereira 1, RV Rodrigues 2, AR Santos 3, VA Facundo 2, MCA Marques 1, CH Baggio 1, M Fernanda Werner 1
  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
  • 2Department of Medicine, Federal University of Rondonia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
  • 3Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil

This study evaluated the healing of chronic gastric ulcers and oesophageal protection effects of dichloromethane fraction (DCM) from fruits of Piper tuberculatum Jacq (A) . DCM (10, 30 and 100mg.kg-1, p.o) accelerated the healing of 80% acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcer (B) together with enhancement of mucus content, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining and prevention of reduced glutathione levels in gastric mucosa. Moreover, the DCM (30, 100 and 300mg.kg-1, i.d.) was able to reduce esophageal injuries (C) and myeloperoxidase activity in the acute reflux esophagitis model. These results suggest that Piper tuberculatum Jacq may provide an alternative therapeutic source for gastric ulcer and oesophagitis treatment. However, further studies must be carried out to better clarify these actions, and if the isolated compound, piplartine (1), could be involved in these effects.