Journal of Ethnopharmacology 67 (1999) 149 – 156 Gastroprotective effect from Calophyllum brasiliense Camb. bark on experimental gastric lesions in rats and mice N.T. Sartori a , D. Canepelle b , P.T. de Sousa Jr. b , D.T.O. Martins a, * a Department of Basic Sciences in Health FCM/ISC, Federal Uniersity of Mato Grosso, A. Fernando Correa da Costa, S /N, Campus Uniersitario, 78060 -900 Cuiaba ´ , MT, Brazil b Department of Chemistry -ICET/ISC, Federal Uniersity of Mato Grosso, 78069 -900 Cuiaba ´ , MT, Brazil Received 13 October 1998; received in revised form 5 December 1998; accepted 14 December 1998 Abstract In order to establish the pharmacological basis for the ethnomedicinal use of stem bark extracts of Calophyllum brasiliense Camb. in gastrointestinal affections, this study examined the effects of a dichloromethane fraction (DCMF), obtained from the hexane extract of bark, on ethanol, indomethacin and hypothermic restraint stress-in- duced gastric lesions in mice and rats, respectively. Oral administration of DCMF at doses ranging from 12.5 – 250 mg/kg significantly inhibited the development of gastric lesions in all the three test models. It caused significant decreases of the pyloric-ligation and bethanechol-stimulated gastric secretion, and also the free and total acidities. Besides, DCMF offered protection against ethanol-induced depletion of stomach wall mucus and reduction in nonprotein sulfhydryl concentration. The results indicate that DCMF from C. brasiliense possesses antisecretory, antiulcer and cytoprotective properties. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Calophyllum brasiliense ; Bark extract; Gastroprotection; Ulcer inhibition www.elsevier.com/locate/jethpharm 1. Introduction The ethnopharmacological approach provides the way for developing new plant derived drugs. Calophyllum brasiliense Camb. (Clusiaceae) is a large tree that grows principally in the hilly and forest regions of Brazil (Guimara ˜es et al., 1993). Locally, it is known as ‘Guanandi’ and the infu- sion and bath prepared from the stem bark is a popular remedy for the treatment of rheumatism, varicose, haemorrhoids and chronic ulcers (Cor- re ˆa, 1978; Guarim Neto, 1987; Guimara ˜es et al., 1993). Phytochemical studies on its stem bark and resins revealed the presence of several substances such as xanthones, (-sitosterol, friedelin, brasilien- sic and isobrasiliensic acids (King and King, 1953; Pereira et al., 1967; Stout and Breck, 1970). To our knowledge, there were no scientific reports available in literature in support of its traditional claims. Preliminary studies have shown similar activities when the ethanol induced gastric ulcer model was performed using the hexane, * Corresponding author. Tel.: +55-65-6158862; fax: +55- 65-6158884. E-mail address: dtom@cub.sol.com.br (D.T.O. Martins) 0378-8741/99/$ - see front matter © 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. PII:S0378-8741(98)00244-X