Gastroprotective action of the ethanol extract of Leonurus sibiricus L. (Lamiaceae) in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Leonurus sibiricus L. (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant known in Brazil as rubim or erva de macae acute accent . It is used for various purposes, including stomach disorders. Aim of the study: To evaluate the effect of the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of L. sibiricus (EELs) in models of gastric damage in mice. Material and methods: The effect of EELs (50, 100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o., 1 h before induction) was tested on acidified ethanol (ACEt)-induced gastric ulcers. Additionally, we tested the effect of EELs (by intraduodenal administration) in the pylorus ligation (PL) model. Results: Pretreatment with EELs, at 300 mg/kg, but not 50 and 100 mg/kg, reduced the relative area of gastric ulcers induced by ACEt (p < 0.01) and lipoperoxidation (p < 0.001), and increased the sulfhydryl content (p < 0.01) in the stomach in comparison with the vehicle group. Pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide (a blocker of non-protein sulfhydryl groups, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) or glibenclamide (a K-ATP channel blocker, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibited the gastroprotective response caused by EELs (300 mg/kg; p < 0.001), but there were no alterations due to pretreatments with inhibitors of the synthesis of prostaglandins (indomethacin, 10 mg/kg), nitric oxide (L NAME, 70 mg/kg) or hydrogen sulfide (DL-propargylglycine, 10 mg/kg). Treatment with EELs (300 mg/kg) reduced mucus production (p < 0.001) and the volume of gastric secretion (p < 0.001) after PL without affecting gastric acidity or pH. Conclusions: These results provide evidence that EELs exerts gastroprotective action in mice, with the participation of oxidative stress and mediation of NP-SH, KATP channels and mucus production.

Automated summary

The ethanol extract of Leonurus sibiricus aerial parts shows gastroprotective effects in mice, potentially through involvement of oxidative stress, NP-SH, KATP channels, and mucus production.