JPP 2007, 59: 603–608 © 2007 The Authors Received October 31, 2006 Accepted December 18, 2006 DOI 10.1211/jpp.59.4.0017 ISSN 0022-3573 603 Communication Baccharis dracunculifolia, the main botanical source of Brazilian green propolis, displays antiulcer activity Marivane Lemos, Muriel Primon de Barros, João Paulo Barreto Sousa, Ademar Alves da Silva Filho, Jairo Kenupp Bastos and Sérgio Faloni de Andrade Abstract Baccharis dracunculifolia is the most important botanical source of Southeastern Brazilian propolis, known as green propolis for its colour. In a previous study, we described the gastric protective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian green propolis. We therefore wanted to investigate the possibility of using B. dracunculifolia extract for antiulcer treatment. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-ulcerogenic property of hydroalcoholic extract of B. dracunculifolia aerial parts. The HPLC analysis of the chemical composition of B. dracunculifolia extract used in this study revealed the presence mainly of cinnamic acid derivates and flavonoids. Doses of 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg of B. dracunculifolia crude extract and positive controls (omeprazole or cimetidine) sig- nificantly diminished the lesion index, the total lesion area and the percentage of lesion compared with negative control groups. The percentage of ulcer inhibition was significantly higher in groups treated with B. dracunculifolia, cimetidine or omeprazole, with all protocols used, compared with negative control groups. Regarding the model of gastric secretion, reductions in the volume of gas- tric juice and total acidity were observed, as well as an increase in the gastric pH. These results were similar to results from studies carried out with green propolis extract. Although more investigations are required, our results suggest that B. dracunculifolia has potential to be used as a phytotherapic preparation for the treatment of gastric ulcer. Gastric and duodenal ulcers affect a considerable number of people in the world and are induced by several factors, such as: stress, smoking, nutritional deficiencies and ingestion of non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Nash et al 1994). The current medici- nal treatment of peptic ulcer is generally based on the inhibition of gastric acid secretion by histamine H2 antagonists, proton-pump inhibitors and antimuscarinics, as well as on acid- independent therapies provided by sucralfate and bismuth cholinergics (Bighetti et al 2005). However, the majority of these drugs produce adverse reactions, such as hypersensitivity, arrhythmia, impotence, gynaecomastia and haematopoietic changes (Chan and Leung 2002). Thus, it is necessary to develop more effective and less toxic antiulcer agents. An extensive variety of chemical compounds isolated from medicinal plants display anti-ulcer activity (Borrelli and Izzo 2000), and several plants are used in folk medicine for their anti-ulcer properties. The Baccharis genus includes more than 500 species, distributed mainly in the tropical areas of South America. Many of these are used extensively in folk medicine, for the treat- ment and prevention of anaemia, inflammation, diabetes and stomach, liver and prostate diseases (Verdi et al 2005). B. dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae), a native plant from Brazil, commonly known as ‘Alecrim-do-campo’ and ‘Vassoura’, is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, hepatic disorders and stomach ulcers (Menezes 2005). Phytochemical studies carried out with B. dracunculifolia have demonstrated the presence of many classes of con- stituents, including flavonoids (isosakuranetin, aromadendrin-4′-methyl ether) terpenes (baccharin), phenolic acids (artepelin C, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid) Introduction Núcleo de Ciência e Tecnologia, Área de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina, Campus de Videira, Rua Paese, 198, Bairro das Torres, Videira-SC, 89560-000, SC, Brazil Marivane Lemos, Muriel Primon de Barros, Sérgio Faloni de Andrade Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil João Paulo Barreto Sousa, Jairo K. Bastos Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade de Franca, Av. Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira, 201 – Parque Universitário, 14404-600, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil Ademar Alves da Silva Filho Programa de Mestrado em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Núcleo de Investigações Químico- Farmacêuticas (NIQFAR), Universidade do Vale do Itajaí – UNIVALI, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil Sérgio Faloni de Andrade Correspondence: S. Faloni de Andrade, Núcleo de Ciência e Tecnologia, Área de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina, Campus de Videira, Rua Paese, 198, Bairro das Torres, Videira-SC, 89560-000, SC, Brazil. E-mail: sfaloni@bol.com.br Funding: The authors are grateful to Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for fellowships and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) (Grant # 01/ 14209-7) for financial support. We are also thankful to Nelson Ivo Matzenbacher for plant identification. Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/jpp/article/59/4/603/6141682 by guest on 25 May 2022