Qualea parviflora Mart.: An integrative study to validate the gastroprotective, antidiarrheal, antihemorragic and mutagenic action

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Qualea parviflora Mart. is a medicinal species commonly found in the Brazilian Cerrado biome. Aim of the study Based on ethnopharmacological data, methanolic extract from Qualea parviflora (QP) bark was evaluated for its antiulcer, analgesic, anti-hemorrhagic, mutagenic and anti- Helicobacter pylori activities. Material and methods The gastroprotective action of the extract was evaluated in rodent experimental models (HCl/ethanol, ethanol or NSAID). We also evaluated mutagenic effect (Ames assay), anti- Helicobacter pylori , anti-hemorrhagic action, analgesic and inflammatory effects (hot-plate test and carrageenin-induced hind paw edema) of methanolic extract from Qualea parviflora . Results QP (500 mg/kg, p.o.) was able to protect gastric mucosa against HCl/ethanol solution (77%), absolute ethanol (97%), and also against injurious effect of NSAID (36%). When QP was challenged with sulfhydryl depletor compound, the gastroprotective action of extract was abolished. QP treatment was able to maintain the GSH level and show a concentration-dependent inhibition effect on the lipid peroxidation. QP present anti- Helicobacter pylori effect (MIC = 75 μg/mL), anti-hemorrhagic and antidiarrheal action but not present analgesic or anti-inflammatory effect. Conclusion methanolic extract from Qualea parviflora had gastroprotective effect related to the increase of gastric mucosa defensive factors such PGE 2 levels and maintain the basal gastric glutathione levels. The methanolic extract also showed anti- Helicobacter pylori activity, anti-hemorrhagic effect and antioxidant action, but absence of analgesic, mutagenic and toxic effects, a profile that adds safety to its use.