Anti-ulcerogenic Action Mechanism of Maytenus ilicifolia Detected by mRNA RT-PCR and Free Radical Scavenging Activity Evaluated by ESR

Maytenus ilicifolia, known as “espinheira-santa”, is used in the popular medicine for peptic ulcer treatment. This work evaluates the preventive and curative actions of M. ilicifolia in animals, the healing activity by EGF expression detected by RT-PCR as well as the anti-oxidative activity by Electron Spin Resonance spectroscopy (ESR). Oral administration of M. ilicifolia (300 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) one hour before the ulcerogenic agent application prevented the ulcer formation 42 ± 0.98% and 72 ± 1.2% (p <0.05 and p <0.001, respectively), in comparison with the negative control tween 80, preserving the cytoprotection characteristics of the gastric mucosa and assuring the integrity of gastric glands and gastric fossets. The animals treated with tween, had the epithelium and the mucosa layer damaged and accentuated vascularization. The healing activity of M. ilicifolia (500mg/kg, p.o.) was 71 ± 1.4% (p <0.001) in chronic ulcer experiments induced by acetic acid. EGF expression detected by RT-PCR confirmed the healing activity. Histological analysis showed the recovery of the mucosal layer and the epithelium surface harmed by the acetic acid. Studies in vitro by Electron Spin Resonance spectroscopy assessed the anti-oxidative action of M ilicifolia. Experiments with DPPH (2.2-Diphenyl -1-picrylhydrazyl) demonstrated that the polar fraction of M. ilicifolia presents an IC 50 of 0.68？0.09 mg/ml. The value of 9？2 mg/ml was found for IC 50 in experiments with the radical OH, produced by the Fenton Reaction and detected through spin adduct DMPO-OH. Mass spectrometry analysis of crude extracts and fractions from M. ilicifolia was carried out and compounds of pentacyclic triterpenes class were identified.