Plinia peruviana (Poir.) Govaerts (jabuticaba) extract inhibits the development of gastric ulcers in animal models through gastroprotective mechanisms

Abstract

Plinia peruviana, commonly known as “jabuticabeira,” is a native Brazilian species widely used in traditional medicine to manage gastrointestinal disorders, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and intestinal dysfunctions. This study assessed the gastroprotective activity and explored the mechanisms of action of a hydroethanolic extract from Plinia peruviana peels (EHPP) in mice models of acute gastric lesions. EHPP was obtained through hydroethanolic maceration, followed by lyophilization and phytochemical characterization. Gastroprotective effects at oral doses of 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg were examined in mice models of gastric injury induced by ethanol, acidified ethanol, and indomethacin. The investigation concentrated on the roles of gastric mucus synthesis, sulfhydryl (SH) groups, the nitric oxide (NO) pathway, α2-adrenergic receptors, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity to clarify the mechanisms involved. Phytochemical analysis showed that gallic acid and ellagic acid were the major phenolic compounds in the extract. EHPP significantly reduced the gastric lesion index in all models: by 62.3%, 70.4%, and 41.5% (ethanol); 77.6%, 78.5%, and 37.7% (acidified ethanol); and 44.3%, 47.3%, and 39.4% (indomethacin), respectively. The gastroprotective effect was linked to stimulation of mucus production, involvement of SH groups, the NO pathway, α2-adrenergic receptor activation, and MPO inhibition. In conclusion, EHPP exhibits substantial gastroprotective effects through multiple mechanisms, including enhancement of mucus secretion and modulation of oxidative and inflammatory pathways. These results support the traditional use of Plinia peruviana for gastrointestinal disorders and illustrate its potential for the development of phytotherapeutic drugs.