Pathways involved in Tusca leaf extracts´s gastroprotective effect

FÉLIX FACUNDO TABOADA; NATALIA HABIB; SUSANA GENTA

Jornada; "XXXV Jornadas Científicas de la Asociación de Biología de Tucumán?; 2018

Gastric ulcers are caused by an imbalance between protective and aggressive factors on the mucosa. Tusca, Acacia aroma Gill ex Hook & Arn, is an autochthonous plant from northwestern Argentina previously studied by our working group. Five percent infusion (I) and 10% hidroalcoholic extract (E) from the tusca leaves showed an effective gastroprotective property. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathways involved in this effect. The ethanol-induced ulceration model was developed in male Wistar rats (n = 6 animals / group). The inhibitors Indometacin (10mg / kg) and L-nitroargininemethyl ester (70mg / kg) were used to study the participation of Prostaglandins (PG) and nitric oxide (NO), respectively. The blocker N-methylmaleimide (10mg / kg) was used to evaluate the intervention of the non-protein sulfhydryl compounds (NP-SH) in the gastroprotective effect. The experimental groups were: 1- Ulcer control (0.9% NaCl), 2- Positive control (Sucralfate 100mg / kg, orally) 3- I (150mg / kg, orally), 4- E (150mg / kg, orally). The ulceration area in the stomachs of each group was determined. The blockages of the evaluated routes produced a significant increase in the ulceration area (p≤0.05). This indicates that the gastroprotective effect of both tusca leaf extracts is mediated in part by the PG synthesis, NO release and NP-SH. Further studies will be necessary to define the molecular mechanisms involved and determine the compound (s) responsible for the effect