Chemical constituents and gastro-protective potential of Pachira glabra leaves against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in experimental rat model

Gastric ulcer is a very common illness that adversely affects a significant number of people all over the globe. Phytochemical investigation ofP. glabraleaf alcohol extract (PGLE) resulted in the isolation and Characterization of a new nature compound, quercetin-3- O-alpha-L-rhamnosyl-(1 '''-6 '')-(4 ''-O-acetyl)-beta-D-galactoside (4), in addition to seven known compounds. They are ferulic acid (1),p- coumaric acid (2), quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside-3 '-O-beta-D-glucoside (3), quercetin-3- O-alpha-L-rhamnosyl-(1 '''-6 '')-(4 ''-O-acetyl)- beta-Dgalactoside (4), quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactoside (5), 7-hydroxy maltol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (6), maltol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (7), and methyl coumarate (8) that were first to be isolated from the genus Pachira. PGLE demonstrated in vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. Moreover, the in vivo gastroprotective assessment of PGLE at different dosses, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg against ethanol induced ulceration revealed a dose-dependent gastroprotection comparable to omeprazole.PGLE attenuated gastric lesions and histopathological changes triggered by ethanol. Interestingly, PGLE exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect through down-regulating the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B and pro-inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 in the ulcer group. It also hindered apoptosis through decreasing Bax and increasing Bcl-2 expression hence decreasing Bax/Bcl2 ratio with a subsequent reduction in caspase 3 expression. Collectively,P. glabrais a rich reservoir of various phytochemicals reflecting a promising potential for alleviation of gastric ulcer through the mediation of inflammatory and apoptotic cascades. [GRAPHICS] .