Antiulcerogenic Potential of the Ethanolic Extract of Ceiba speciosa (A. St.-Hil.) Ravenna Evaluated by In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

Gastrointestinal diseases, such as peptic ulcers, are caused by a damage in the gastric mucosa provoked by several factors. This stomach injury is regulated by many inflammatory mediators and is commonly treated with proton-pump inhibitors, histamine H2 receptor blockers and antacids. However, various medicinal plants have demonstrated positive effects on gastric ulcer treatment, including plants of the Ceiba genus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiulcer and anti-inflammatory activities of the stem bark ethanolic extract of Ceiba speciosa (A. St.-Hil.) Ravenna. We performed a preliminary quantification of phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), followed by the prospection of other chemical groups through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A set of in vitro assays was used to evaluate the extract potential regarding its antioxidant activity (DPPH: 19.83 ± 0.34 µg/mL; TPC: 307.20 ± 6.20 mg GAE/g of extract), effects on cell viability and on the release of TNF-α in whole human blood. Additionally, in vivo assays were performed to evaluate the leukocyte accumulation and total protein quantification in carrageenan-induced air pouch, as well as the antiulcerogenic effect of the extract on an ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. The extract contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds, as well as sugars and quinic acid derivatives exhibiting potent antioxidant activity and low toxicity. The extract reduced the release of TNF-α in human blood and inhibited the activity of p38α (1.66 µg/mL), JAK3 (5.25 µg/mL), and JNK3 (8.34 µg/mL). Moreover, it reduced the leukocyte recruitment on the pouch exudate and the formation of edema, reverting the effects caused by carrageenan. The extract presented a significant prevention of ulcer formation and a higher reduction than the reference drug, Omeprazole. Therefore, C. speciosa extract has demonstrated relevant therapeutic potential for the treatment of gastric diseases, deserving the continuation of further studies to unveil the mechanisms of action of plant bioactive ingredients.

In vitro activities of Ceiba speciosa (A.St.-Hil) Ravenna aqueous stem bark extract.

Several species of the genus Ceiba (Malvaceae) are ethnopharmacologically used. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the in vitro beneficial properties of the aqueous stem bark extract of Ceiba speciosa. The extract presented a great amount of phenolic compounds (117.4 ± 6.2 mg GAE/g). The antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH (IC50 = 42.87 µg/mL), ORAC (2351.17 µmol TE/g) and FRAP (235.94 µM FeSO4/g) methods. In addition, the extract reduced MCF-7 cell viability as assessed by MTT. However, it prevented mitochondrial membrane depolarization and reduced caspase-9 activity induced by hydrogen peroxide. In conclusion, these findings indicate the extract is an excellent source of natural antioxidants and is able to protect ROS-induced cell death. Therefore, C. speciosa extract may possess beneficial properties for application in pharmaceutical industry as an antioxidant. However, further studies to better elucidate its mechanisms and to isolate its active compounds are required.