Phytochemical Analysis and Gastroprotective Activity of the Root Bark from Maytenus robusta

Abstract

The present work evaluated the chemical composition and antiulcerogenic potential of the crude extract, fractions and pure compounds isolated of roots barks from Maytenus robusta Reiss, using different pharmacological models in mice. 3,12-Dioxofriedelane (1) and 11-hydroxylup-20 (29)-en-3-one (2) were isolated from the n-hexane fraction, and mayteine (3) and 3,7-dioxofriedelane (4) from the dichloromethane fraction. The crude extract (50, 259, 500 mg/kg), all the fractions (250 mg/kg) and cimetidine (100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the lesion index, total lesion area, and percentage of lesions, in comparison with the control group (p< 0.05), by ethanol and NSAID-induced ulcer models. All the isolated compounds also presented significant pharmacological effects at 30 mg/kg. These results show that the root bark of M. robusta may be a promising source of molecules with applicability in the treatment of gastric disorders.

Antiulcer Agents: From Plant Extracts to Phytochemicals in Healing Promotion

“…An in vitro study demonstrated that the hydroalcoholic extract (1–1000 µg/mL) promoted cytoprotection against H 2 O 2 and free radical scavenging [ 49 ]. In another study, 3,12-dioxofriedelane and 11-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-3-one and mayteine and 3,7-dioxofriedelane were isolated from the n -hexane and dichloromethane fraction of M. robusta root barks, respectively; their gastroprotective activity was evaluated in mice with ethanol and NSAIDs-induced ulcer models [ 50 ]. The results showed that the crude extract (50, 250, 500 mg/kg) and all fractions (250 mg/kg) reduced the lesion index, total lesion area and percentage of lesions, while all the isolated compounds also presented significant pharmacological effects at 30 mg/kg [ 50 ].…”

“…In another study, 3,12-dioxofriedelane and 11-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-3-one and mayteine and 3,7-dioxofriedelane were isolated from the n -hexane and dichloromethane fraction of M. robusta root barks, respectively; their gastroprotective activity was evaluated in mice with ethanol and NSAIDs-induced ulcer models [ 50 ]. The results showed that the crude extract (50, 250, 500 mg/kg) and all fractions (250 mg/kg) reduced the lesion index, total lesion area and percentage of lesions, while all the isolated compounds also presented significant pharmacological effects at 30 mg/kg [ 50 ]. Also, studies have revealed that M. robusta is rich in pentacyclic triterpenes [ 28 , 116 , 117 ] and, consequently, the gastric health promoting effects of M. robusta have been ascribed to the ability of pentacyclic triterpenes to stimulate mucus synthesis and prostaglandin secretion, thus strengthening gastric mucosa defense factors [ 28 , 118 ].…”