The protective effect of Vaccinium myrtillus L. stem on gastric ulcer in rats

CAROLINA SERRA BARCELLONA; FACUNDO TABOADA; SUSANA GENTA; NATALIA HABIB; MARÍA INÉS MERCADO

Tucumán

Jornada; XXIII Jornadas Científicas de la Asociación de Biología de Tucumán; 2016

Vaccinium myrtillus L. leaves (Vm) are used as a folk medicine to treat gastric diseases. However, there is no data from the use of their stems for therapeutic purposes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential gastro protective effect of an aqueous extract (AE) of Vm stems in an induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Complementary studies include in vitro cytotoxicity analysis (cell line LC5) of AE and evaluation of its chemical components. Fresh stems were used for histolocalization of the major chemical constituents, and to prepare an AE (infusion 5%). The experimental groups of ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in Wistar rats were: 1- control group, 2- positive control group (sucralfate 100mg/kg) and 3- AE treated group (150mg/kg) (n= 6 animals/group). Mucus content and ulceration parameters (number of ulcers, severity and ulcerated area percentage) were determined, and histological studies were carried out. AE treatment significantly decreased the ulcerated area, the severity and number of ulcers relative to negative control, conserving the mucus content. Cortical, medullary and xylem stem´s parenchyma presented phenolic compounds and tannins (T); T content in the AE was 17.55±0.88 μgEqAT/mg. These results suggest that AE of Vm has gastroprotective effects possibly related to the T content. In vitro toxicity studies result in a value of LD50> 800ug/ml, in vivo additional studies are required to verify the absence of toxicity.