Efeito citoprotetor e cicatrizante gástrico do extrato padronizado de Euterpe oleracea Mart.

Abstract

A gastric ulcer is an acidic peptic lesion of the digestive tract resulting from an imbalance between the factors that damage the mucosa and those that protect it. It is a prevalent disease throughout the world and the medications used to treat it, although efficient, have side effects. Among these, açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), has high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity due to its composition of bioactive phytochemicals that include the class of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and other flavonoids with promising health effects. The present work investigated the cytoprotective and gastric healing activity of the standardized extract of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (EO). Initially, the ability of EO to promote increased cell migration of epithelial-type cells (Vero) in the in vitro healing model was evaluated. In the spectrum of evaluation of in vivo antiulcer activity, initially, the cytoprotective activity of EO was determined in gastric ulcer models induced by ethanol and indomethacin. Furthermore, the action of EO on gastric secretion was investigated. The in vivo healing effect was evaluated in a gastric ulcer model induced by acetic acid. Treatment with EO at a concentration of (1 μg/mL) promoted a significant increase in cell migration after 48 hours. Pre-treatment with EO at doses of (2.5 μL/g and 10 μL/g) reduced the area of gastric lesions in ulcer models induced by ethanol and indomethacin. EO was not able to increase pH and reduce acidity or volume of gastric secretion to levels similar to animals treated with omeprazole (20 mg/kg) in a pylorus ligation model. In the gastric ulcer model induced by acetic acid, treatment with EO at doses of (2.5 μL/g and 10 μL/g) for eight days reduced the area of the acid-induced gastric ulcer, increasing the healing rate when compared to animals without treatment (one way ANOVA, post-Tukey test p < 0.0001). EO treatment in the acetic acid model also increased catalase activity, increased total glutathione levels, and reduced malondialdehyde and nitrite levels compared to untreated animals. According to the results, the standardized extract of Euterpe oleracea Mart. (EO) showed a healing effect in both in vitro and in vivo studies. It presented a cytoprotective effect that is probably not related to a capacity to modulate gastric secretion, but possibly related to the reduction of oxidative stress and its healing effects.