RESUMO
This study investigates the effects of an ethanolic extract from the stem bark of Combretum leprosum Mart. & Eiche (Combretaceae) on experimental ulcers induced by ethanol and indomethacin and on gastric secretion and mucus content in pylorus-ligated rats. The effects were compared with those of ranitidine and carbenoxolone. Combretum leprosum orally administered elicited a complete inhibition of the appearance of gastric lesions induced by ethanol and a partial reduction when indomethacin was used as an ulcerogenic agent. Moreover, the protection against gastric ulceration induced by ethanol was decreased with indomethacin pretreatment. The intraduodenal administration of Combretum leprosum in four-hour pylorus-ligated rats increased the volume and pH of gastric juice while decreasing the acid output and produced a significant increase in gastric wall mucus content. The major compounds detected in a preliminary phytochemical screening were triterpenes, flavonoids, taninns and saponins. This study provides evidence that the ethanolic extract of Combretum leprosum possesses gastroprotective and anti-ulcerogenic effects, which are related to the inhibition of the gastric acid secretion and an increase of mucosal defensive factors such as mucus and prostaglandin.