Antiulcer effects of Achyrocline satureoides (Lam.) DC (Asteraceae) (Marcela), a folk medicine plant, in different experimental models

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAchyrocline satureoides is a medium-sized South American indigenous herb, commonly known as “Marcela” or “Macela”. The infusion obtained from inflorescences of this plant is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine as an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and hypocholesterolemic, mainly to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric ulcers and dyspepsia. However, the antiulcer properties of this species have not yet been fully studied.Aim of the studyThis study was conducted to evaluate and contribute to validating the antiulcer activity of hydroalcoholic extract of inflorescences of Achyrocline satureoides.Materials and methodsThe antiulcer assays were performed using the ethanol-induced ulcer, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced ulcer protocols. Gastric secretion parameters were also evaluated (volume, pH and total acidity) by the pylorus ligated model, and the mucus in the gastric content was determined.ResultsIn the ethanol-induced ulcer model, it was observed that the treatment with Achyrocline satureoides extract significantly reduced the lesion index by 75.1 ± 8.6, 85.0 ± 9.2, 86.6 ± 7.4 and 75.5 ± 5.3 for the groups treated with 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg of extract of inflorescences of Achyrocline satureoides and the positive control (omeprazole 30 mg/kg), respectively. Significant inhibition was also observed in the lesion index in the indomethacin-induced ulcer model, with decreases of 62.5 ± 7.1, 62.5 ± 6.1, 63.6 ± 5.5 and 96.2 ± 3.6 for the groups treated with 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg of extract and the positive control (cimetidine 100 mg/kg), respectively. The parameters of gastric secretion (pH, volume, [H+]) showed no alteration in the different doses of the treatment. On the other hand the treatment with the hydroalcoholic extract of Achyrocline satureoides (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg), significantly increased mucus production (p < 0.01), when compared with the groups treated with indomethacin (100 mg/kg), cimetidine (100 mg/kg) and negative control (vehicle). No signs of toxicity was observed in the acute toxicity study.ConclusionsThe results of the present study show that hydroalcoholic extract of Achyrocline satureoides displays antiulcer activity, as demonstrated by the significant inhibition of the formation of ulcers induced using different models. However, this activity appears not be related to the antisecretor mechanisms. Moreover, this work suggests that preparations obtained from Achyrocline satureoides could be used for the development of new phytotherapic drugs for the treatment of gastric ulcer.

Achyrocline satureoides is a medium-sized South American indigenous herb, commonly known as “Marcela” or “Macela”. The infusion obtained from inflorescences of this plant is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine as an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and hypocholesterolemic, mainly to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric ulcers and dyspepsia. This study was conducted to evaluate and contribute to validating the antiulcer activity of hydroalcoholic extract of inflorescences of Achyrocline satureoides. The results show that the hydroalcoholics extract of Achyrocline satureoides presents gastroprotective activity, as evidenced by the different ulcer models assayed. The data suggest that the effectiveness of the extract in the prevention and healing of ulcers is based on its ability to stimulate the synthesis of mucus, an important gastroprotective factor. Besides, the results obtained in this work suggest that preparations obtained from Achyrocline satureoides could be used for the development of new phytotherapic drugs to treat gastric ulcer.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide