Antiulcerogenic effect of Chlorella vulgaris extract / Efeito anti-ulcerogenico do extrato de Chlorella vulgaris

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2005

RESUMO

About 10%of the world?s population suffer from peptic ulcer, within this percentage we find thousands of Brazilians. This pathology is caused by an unbalance between the protection and attack mechanisms of the stomach lining, and is the result of the association of various endogenous attack factors (pepsin, acid, bile), exogenous factors pertaining to life style (stress, smoking, alcohol intake, continuous use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ingestion of certain types of food and the presence of Helicobacter Pylori) and genetic predisposition. Nowadays, the therapeutic methods used for the treatment of the lesions are: Anti-acids, anti-cholinergic, antagonist H2 receptors for histamine, proton bombs; certain surgical procedures are also applied, though much less frequently. Any therapeutic method that involves the use of one or more of the drugs and/or procedures above mentioned may cause some side effects and is not necessarily effective. The use of medicinal plants in the treatment of diseases has been developing over the past decade. Some plants have an anti-ulcer activity. There is evidence that the Chlorella vulgaris algae may modify cellular immune response, and there is also evidence to its anti-tumor, anti-metastasis, anti-ulcer activity. The objective of this present study was to evaluate the anti-ulcer activity of the Chlorella vulgaris algae acute models of ulcer induction and also in one chronic model of ulcer induction. Wistar rats were used to determine gastric emptying (GE) and in models of ulcer induced by ethanol and acetic acid, while swiss mice were used for the piloro ligature and piroxicam ulcer induction models. In order to evaluate the effect of the Chlorella vulgaris extract (ECV) on gastric emptying (GE) a liquid proof meal (PM) with the extract in the concentration of 50mg/l and 100mg/l was usedIn the study of the acute piloro ligature, ethanol and piroxicam models, and in the chronic model, dosages of 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg of ECV were used in the prevention and treatment of the lesions. In the chronic model the fraction of acetate obtained from the ECV in the dosage of 5mg/100g was also used, and the amount of epidermal growth factor (EGF) produced in the region of the ulcer was measured. The toxicity study of the ECV was done by measuring the weight gain of the rats and the weight of their organs i.e. kidneys, lungs, liver, and heart, once the first signs of toxicity by an extract are loss of body and organ weight. The ECV, in the concentration used, did not interfere with the GE when prepared as a liquid PM in comparison to the vehicle (water). The extract did not alter any of the biochemical parameters such as pH, amount of H+ and weight of the gastric juice in the piloro ligature model. The ECV did not prevent the formation of ulcer in the piroxicam model, but it prevented the formation of lesions caused by ethanol in the dosage of 500 and 1000mg/kg. This effect disappeared when ethanol was ministered two hours after the pre-treatment with ECV in the dosage of 1000mg/kg. The chronic ulcer induction model the ECV, in the dosage of 500 and 1000mg/kg, was able to significantly lessen the lesions caused by acetic acid, not altering, however, the amount of EGF produced in the scar tissue area when compared to the water control. Furthermore, the long-term treatment with ECV in the dosage of 500mg/kg significantly altered the evolution of weight gain of these animals. In conclusion, the ECV, as a dietary complement, may be an alternative in the treatment of gastric peptic ulcer

ASSUNTO(S)

esvaziamento gastrico ulcer ulcera gastric emptying chlorella

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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