Antiulcer Activity in Rats by Flavonoids of Erica andevalensis Cabezudo‐Rivera

Oral treatment with the ether fraction of the flavonoid extract of Erica andevalensis (62.5, 125 and 250 mg/kg) was found to be effective in the prevention of gastric ulceration induced by cold-restraint stress in rats. Statistically significant ulcer index values with respect to the control group were observed. Mucus content was not increased although it was accompanied by an increase in proteins and hexosamines. In pyloric-ligated animals flavonoids showed a significant reduction in the severity of the ulcers, however, it did not significantly alter the gastric secretion volume or acidity compared with the control. Gastric ulcers induced by oral administration of absolute ethanol were reduced by pretreatment with the highest dose of the ether fraction of the flavonoid extract (250 mg/kg), however it did not induce significant changes in the amount and glycoprotein content of gastric mucus.