Gastroprotective activity of ( <i>E</i> )-ethyl-12-cyclohexyl-4,5-dihydroxydodec-2-enoate, a compound isolated from <i>Heliotropium indicum</i> : role of nitric oxide, prostaglandins, and sulfhydryls in its mechanism of action

Abstract

CONTEXT: L. (Boraginaceae), a plant traditionally used in Mexico to treat gastric ulcers, has been previously reported. However, no active compound was identified. OBJECTIVE: with considerable gastroprotective activity, examine its effect on ethanol-induced gastric lesions in mice, and explore possible mechanisms of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: leaves. Their 30 and 100 mg/kg doses were assessed on ethanol-induced gastric lesions in male CD1 mice. Since the dichloromethane extract was the most active, successive chromatographies were carried out leading to the identification of the most active compound. This compound (at 3-100 mg/kg) was compared to carbenoxolone (at 10-100 mg/kg) in biological evaluations in mice. Pre-treatments with indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.), L-NAME (70 mg/kg, i.p.), and NEM (10 mg/kg, s.c.) were performed independently to determine the participation of prostaglandins, nitric oxide, and/or sulfhydryl groups, respectively, in the mechanism of action of the compound. RESULTS: of 5.92 ± 2.48 mg/kg. Gastroprotection was not modified by pre-treatment with indomethacin, L-NAME, or NEM. CONCLUSIONS: , was found to produce a substantial gastroprotective effect. Prostaglandins, nitric oxide, and non-protein sulfhydryl groups are not involved in its mechanism of action.