Oral treatment with the ether fraction of the flavonoid extract of Eri
ca andevalensis (62.5, 125 and 250 mg/kg) was found to be effective in
the prevention of gastric ulceration induced by cold-restraint stress
in rats. Statistically significant ulcer index values with respect to
the control group were observed, Mucus content was not increased alth
ough it was accompanied by an increase in proteins and hexosamines. In
pyloric-ligated animals flavonoids showed a significant reduction in
the severity of the ulcers, however, it did not significantly alter th
e gastric secretion volume or acidity compared with the control. Gastr
ic ulcers induced by oral administration of absolute ethanol were redu
ced by pretreatment with the highest dose of the ether fraction of the
flavonoid extract (250 mg/kg), however it did not induce significant
changes in the amount and glycoprotein content of gastric mucus.