Gastroprotective activity of punicalagin and Lafoensia pacari in mice

Abstract

Lafoensia pacari A. St.-Hil., Lythraceae, is used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat ulcer and gastritis; thus, it is important to conduct research so as to better understand its medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to assess the antisecretory and antiulcerogenic activities of lyophilized aqueous fraction and punicalagin isolated from leaves of L. pacari. Antisecretory gastric acid activity and antiulcerogenic activity were investigated by pyloric ligation-induced and indomethacin-induced gastric lesion models, respectively. Results show that the lyophilized aqueous fraction of L. pacari and punicalagin reduced the volume of gastric secretion, free acidity, and total acidity in mice 4 h after pyloric ligation, as well as the rate of gastric damage following the indomethacin administration model. Reduction percentages varied according to the dose of each treatment and showed statistical difference. This finding indicates that the lyophilized aqueous fraction of L. pacari and punicalagin exert an antiulcerogenic effect due to their acid antisecretory activity. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]