Antiulcerogenic activity of Apium graveolens seeds oils isolated by supercritical CO2

Isolation of volatile and fixed oils from Apium graveolens seeds have been obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with carbon dioxide. The first extraction step (90 bar, 40 degrees C) produced a volatile fraction (yield of 1.5% by weight of the charge) mainly formed by sedanolide, neocnidilide, beta-selinene and 3-buthyl phtalide. The second extraction step (250 bar, 40 degrees C) produced a fixed oil and the yield of this step was 3.4% by weight. The most represented fatty acids of fixed oil were petroselinic, linoleic, palmitic and oleic acid. Acute gastric ulcer was induced using HCl/ethanol. The volume, pH and total acidity of gastric secretion were determined by the pyloric ligature method. Treated groups received the essential oil of seeds isolated by supercritical CO2 and hydrodistillation at doses (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg). The reference group (Omeprazole, 30 mg/kg) and control group (9% NaCl). Oral administration of essential oil of A. graveolens seeds inhibited HCl/ethanol ulcers by 59, 93 and 98%, respectively, to SFE essential oil and 72, 77 and 91%, respectively, to HD essential oil which was similar to that induced by omeprazole (71%). In the case of pylorus ligature, the essential oil reduced the volume of gastric juices and total acidity, and increased gastric pH.