Evidence of gastroprotective effect of Acacia aroma Gill ex Hook&Arn (Tusca) leaves infusion

HABIB N. C.; TABOADA F. F; GENTA S. B.

Mar del Plata

Congreso; Reunión Conjunta 2016 entre la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica (SAIC), la Sociedad Argentina de Inmunología (SAI) y la Sociedad Argentina de Farmacología Experimental (SAFE).; 2016

Acacia aroma Gill exHook&Arn., Tusca, is an autochthonous herb widely distributed in Bolivia,Paraguay and Northwest Argentina. The peptic ulcer is an increasing disorderresulting of the imbalance between offensive and defensive factors in thegastric mucosa and the search for new treatments is a current challenge. Theaim of the present study was to evaluate the in vivo gastroprotective and antisecretory effects of aqueous extract of Tusca leaves. The extract was subjected to a phythochemical screening, and itsantioxidant activity was determined. Two animal models, (ethanol and pylorusligation) of induced gastric ulcers in male Wistar rats, were used. Theexperimental groups (n=6 animals) were: 1-Control group; 2-Positive controlgroup received Sucralfate (100mg/Kg oral pathway) or Omeprazole (100mg/Kg oralpathway); 3-Aqueous extract treated group received 150mg/kg of Tusca leavesinfusion orally. Mucus content and ulceration parameters (number of ulcers,severity and ulcerated area percentage) were determined. Chemical, microscopicand histological studies were performed. Also, a gastric emptying assay wascarried out. Tusca extract showed a significant free radical scavenging abilitycompared with the controls (quercetin and BHT). The extract caused asignificant (p < 0.05) decrease of the ulcerated area, the severity andnumber of ulcers, conserving the mucus content. There was also a decrease inthe volume, free acidity and presence of cellular elements in gastric contentrespect to the control group. There wasn´t a significant effect observed in thegastric emptying assay. In conclusion, these results suggest that the Tusca infusionhave beneficial gastroprotective and antisecretory effects. Mainly explained bymucus conservation and free radical scavenging activity .Appearly, gastricemptying is not involved in the mechanism of these effects. Additional studiesare needed to determinate the active compounds and specific mechanismsinvolved.