Hancornia speciosa: Indications of gastroprotective, healing and anti-Helicobacter pylori actions

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomez) is a medicinal plant frequently cited in ethnopharmacological inventories of the central region of Brazil against gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhoea, ulcer, gastritis and stomachache.Aim of the studyThe hydroalcoholic extract (HE) and infusion (BI) of Hancornia speciosa bark were investigated for their ability to prevent and heal rodent gastric ulcer.Materials and methodsThe preventive and healing action of both preparations of Hancornia speciosa were evaluated in experimental models in rodents that simulated this disease in human gastric mucosa.ResultsBI did not exert gastroprotective effect, in contrast to HE (500 mg/kg, p.o.) that decreased (p < 0.05) the severity of gastric damage induced by HCl/ethanol (52%), indomethacin/bethanechol (51%), stress (52%) or pylorus ligature experiments (54%). HE increased (p < 0.05) the pH and decreased acid output of gastric juice. This extract promoted increase of mucus amount (3.62 mg/wt. tissue vs. 5.81 mg/wt. tissue), healing action (67%) and displayed anti-Helicobacter pylori effect.ConclusionsThe antiulcer action of Hancornia speciosa resulted in increase of gastric mucus formation and antioxidant properties of polymeric proanthocyanidins present in the bark composition of this medicinal plant.