ABSTRACT
Ziziphus joazeiro Mart., popularly known as 'juazeiro', is a species used in popular medicine for the treatment of bronchitis, gastric ulcers, skin wounds, and in the manufacture of cosmetic and food products. The objective of this study is to evaluate the gastroprotective and cicatrizing activity of the Z. joazeiro Mart. leaf hydroalcoholic extract (EHFZJ). The acute pre-clinical toxicity was determined by the single administration of the EHFZJ (2000 mg/kg/p.o.) and by assessing clinical signs of toxicity, according to established criteria by Malone, or mortality. Gastroprotective activity was identified through classical models of acute gastric lesions induced by indomethacin, absolute and acidified ethanol (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/per os) and the physical barrier mechanism (400 mg/kg/per os or intraperitoneally). The cicatrizing activity of the EHFZJ was investigated by measuring the speed of wound closure and the percentage of contraction. The acute pre-clinical toxicity of EHFZJ showed no signs of toxicity and mortality. The EHFZJ demonstrated a gastroprotective effect at the 400 mg/kg dose in the classical models of acute gastric injury induced by indomethacin, absolute and acidified ethanol. The EHFZJ administration (orally) demonstrated significant inhibition, suggesting a possible physical barrier mechanism exists. The EHFZJ showed no significant differences in terms of percentage of contraction or the speed of wound closure during the observation times (0, 3, 7, 11 and 14 days). The results obtained in this study provide evidence of a potential gastroprotective activity for the Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. Leaf hydroalcoholic extract.
