Morphologic and Pharmacological Investigations in the Epicatechin Gastroprotective Effect

Abstract

Previous studies of the gastroprotective activity of plants have highlighted the importance of the polyphenolic compound epicatechin (EC) in the treatment of gastric ulcers. This paper aimed to evaluate and characterize the gastroprotective mechanism of action of EC using male rats. The gastroprotective action of EC was analyzed in gastric ulcers induced by ethanol or indomethacin. The involvement of sulfhydryl (SH) groups, K+ ATP channels, α 2 adrenoceptors, gastric antisecretory activity, and the amount of mucus in the development of gastric ulcers were investigated. The lowest effective dose of EC providing gastroprotective effects was 50 mg/kg in the ethanol-induced gastric ulcers and 25 mg/kg in the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers. The gastroprotection seen upon treatment with EC was significantly decreased in rats pretreated with a SH compound reagent or an α 2-receptor antagonist, but not with a K+ ATP channel blocker. Furthermore, oral treatment with EC increased mucus production and decreased H+ secretion. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the involvement of superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), and heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) in the gastroprotection. These results demonstrate that EC provides gastroprotection through reinforcement of the mucus barrier and neutralization of gastric juice and this protection occurs through the involvement of SH compounds, α 2-adrenoceptors, NO, SOD, and HSP-70.

Evaluation of gastroprotective and ulcer healing activities of yellow mombin juice from Spondias mombin L.

“…Moreover, quercetin, in combination with pantoprazole (a proton pump inhibitor), was reported to prevent diclofenac sodium-induced gastroenteropathy in rats [24]. Epicatechin, another compound found in YMJ, is a polyphenolic compound that was reported by Rozza et al [25] to have gastroprotective properties and to strengthen the mucus barrier, neutralize the gastric juice, and act as an antioxidant. HPLC results identified the presence of quercetin and epicatechin as major compounds in YMJ, which suggests that, at least in part, the gastroprotective effects of YMJ are mediated by these compounds.…”

Gastroprotective effect and mechanism of patchouli alcohol against ethanol, indomethacin and stress-induced ulcer in rats

“…The rats were treated with distilled water (Intact) vehicle (200 mg/kg poloxamer 407), lansoprazole (30 mg/kg) and SDs of PA (equivalent to PA 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg). Thirty minutes later, the rats except the intact group were orally administered indomethacin (100 mg/kg) and all rats were euthanized after 5 h [17]. The stomachs were removed, opened along the greater curvature, and then photographed as described in Section 2.5.…”

Apple Polyphenol Extracts Protect Against Aspirin‐induced Gastric Mucosal Damage in Rats

“…() showed the antiulcerogenic activity of chlorogenic acid by significantly reducing the gastric ulcer lesion area in mice. Previous studies have also reported the gastroprotective effects of flavanols such as catechin, epicatechin and procyanidin in animal models (Hamaishi et al , ; Hamauzu et al , ; Rozza et al , ). In the current study, FB and EF apple extracts were protective against aspirin‐induced gastric mucosal damage as evidenced by the ulcer area, ULI, curative ratio and gastric injury score (Fig.…”