Gastroprotective effect from Calophyllum brasiliense Camb. bark on experimental gastric lesions in rats and mice

In order to establish the pharmacological basis for the ethnomedicinal use of stem bark extracts of Calophyllum brasiliense Camb. in gastrointestinal affections, this study examined the effects of a dichloromethane fraction ( DCMF), obtained from the hexane extract of bark, on ethanol, indomethacin a nd hypothermic restraint stress-induced gastric lesions in mice and rats, r espectively. Oral administration of DCMF at doses ranging from 12.5-250 mg/ kg significantly inhibited the development of gastric lesions in all the th ree test models. It caused significant decreases of the pyloric-ligation an d bethanechol-stimulated gastric secretion, and also the free and total aci dities. Besides, DCMF offered protection against ethanol-induced depletion of stomach wall mucus and reduction in nonprotein sulfhydryl concentration. The results indicate that DCMF from C. brasiliense possesses antisecretory , antiulcer and cytoprotective properties. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Irelan d Ltd. All rights reserved.