Sex-specific effects of Eugenia punicifolia extract on gastric ulcer healing in rats.

AIM: To evaluate the sex-specific effects of a hydroalcoholic extract from Eugenia punicifolia (HEEP) leaves on gastric ulcer healing. METHODS: In this rat study involving males, intact (cycling) females, and ovariectomized females, gastric ulcers were induced using acetic acid. A vehicle, lansoprazole, or HEEP was administered for 14 d after ulcer induction. Body weight was monitored throughout the treatment period. At the end of treatment, the rats were euthanized and the following in vivo and in vitro investigations were performed: macroscopic examination of the lesion area and organ weights, biochemical analysis, zymography, and evaluation of protein expression levels. Additionally, the concentration-dependent effect of HEEP was evaluated in terms of subacute toxicity and cytotoxicity. RESULTS: Compared to the vehicle, HEEP demonstrated a great healing capacity by substantially reducing the ulcerative lesion area in males (52.44%), intact females (85.22%), and ovariectomized females (65.47%), confirming that HEEP accelerates the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric lesions and suggesting that this effect is modulated by female sex hormones. The antiulcer effect of HEEP was mediated by prostaglandin E2 only in male rats. Overall, the beneficial effect of HEEP was the highest in intact females. Notably, HEEP promoted the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (intact vs ovariectomized females) and decreased the expression of Caspase-8 and Bcl-2 (intact female vs male or ovariectomized female). Additionally, HEEP enhanced fibroblast proliferation and migration into a wounded area in vitro, confirming its healing effect. Finally, no sign of subacute toxicity or cytotoxicity of HEEP was observed. CONCLUSION: In gastric ulcers, HEEP-induced healing (modulated by female sex hormones; in males, mediated by prostaglandin) involves extracellular matrix remodeling, with gastric mucosa cell proliferation and migration.

Geraniol-a flavoring agent with multifunctional effects in protecting the gastric and duodenal mucosa.

Geraniol is an acyclic monoterpene alcohol commonly used as a flavoring agent. The present study was undertaken to investigate antiulcerogenic effects of geraniol and to determine the possible mechanisms involved in this action. In the model of the ethanol-induced ulcer, treatment of rats with geraniol by oral route significantly inhibited gastric lesions by 70 % (7.50 mg/kg) to 99 % (200 mg/kg). Analysis of the gastric tissue of rats treated with geraniol (7.50 mg/kg) revealed that total glutathione content levels (GSH) increased and levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) decreased in the gastric mucosa. Oral treatment with geraniol significantly decreased the number of ulcerative lesions induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury by 71 % and the duodenal ulcers induced by cysteamine by 68 %. The action of geraniol was mediated by the activation of defensive mucosa-protective factors such as the nitric oxide (NO) pathway, endogenous prostaglandins, increased mucus production, increased sulfhydryl compounds, antioxidant properties and the stimulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release through the activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV). The multifaceted gastroprotective mechanisms of geraniol represent a promising option for the treatment of gastric and duodenal mucosa injury.