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Planta Med 2017; 83(03/04): 277-284
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-114044
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Gastroprotective Effect of Alkaloids from Cortex Phellodendri on Gastric Ulcers in Rats through Neurohumoral Regulation

Ling Wang   *
1   State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
,
Xue Wang   *
1   State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
,
Xiao-Ming Zhu
1   State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
,
Yan-Qi Liu
1   State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
,
Wen-Juan Du
1   State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
,
Jun Ji
1   State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
,
Xin He
2   School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
,
Chun-Feng Zhang
1   State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
3   Tang Center of Herbal Medicine Research and Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, U. S. A.
,
Fei Li
1   State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
,
Chang-Run Guo
1   State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
,
Chong-Zhi Wang
3   Tang Center of Herbal Medicine Research and Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, U. S. A.
,
Chun-Su Yuan
3   Tang Center of Herbal Medicine Research and Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, U. S. A.
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 14 April 2016
revised 26 June 2016

accepted 27 July 2016

Publication Date:
20 September 2016 (online)

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Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the gastroprotective activity of the total alkaloids from the bark of Phellodendron amurense and identify their possible mechanism. Total alkaloids were obtained through an alcohol extraction method and were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Chronic gastric ulcers were induced by acetic acid (0.14 mol/L) filter paper on the gastric serosa. The antiulcer effect of total alkaloids was evaluated using the ulcer area, the ulcer inhibition ratio, and epidermal growth factor. The gastroprotective mechanism of total alkaloids was revealed using the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline. The results showed that oral administration of total alkaloids (30 mg/kg/day) obviously decreased the ulcer area (7.67 ± 2.06 mm2; p < 0.01) compared with the model group (15.15 ± 2.34 mm2). The ulcer inhibition ratio of the total alkaloids group (50 %) was higher than the omeprazole-treated group (46 %), which showed that the antiulcer effect of the total alkaloids may be superior to omeprazole. Besides, the total alkaloids significantly increased the epidermal growth factor level and accelerated the healing of ulcers. Histological examination of gastric tissues also supported the same conclusion. In addition, the total alkaloids significantly elevated the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline (both p < 0.01 compared to the model group). Our data indicates that total alkaloids of Cortex Phellodendri exerts a beneficial gastroprotective effect and the involved mechanism is likely neurohumoral regulation. Thus, Cortex Phellodendri may develop into a promising clinical medicinal agent for improving the quality of ulcer healing.

Key words

Phellodendron amurense - Rutaceae - alkaloids - acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer - gastroprotection - neurohumoral regulation

* These two authors contributed equally to this work.


 

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