Cecropia pachystachya Improves Naproxen-induced Gastric Ulcers in Mice Through its Potent Anti- inflammatory, Antioxidant, and NO Production Activities

Abstract Peptic ulcer (PU) occurs as acute or chronic inflammation of the stomach and/or duodenum. It is characterized by oxidative stress, intense inflammation, and hemorrhage, which result from an imbalance between the defensive and harmful factors. Cecropia pachystachya (CP) contains flavonoids, terpenes, and polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid, which is known for its antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the antiulcerogenic activities and properties of the CP leaf extract on naproxen (NPX)-induced gastric ulcers. MTT assay was used to evaluate CP cytotoxicity on intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6). Gastric ulcer was induced in male Swiss mice by pretreating them with 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC, a vehicle control) or CP (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg reconstituted in 0.5% CMC) for 30 min, followed by administration of NPX (300 mg/kg) and then euthanization after 6 h. The stomach segments were collected for macroscopia, microscopia, glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO, a neutrophil infiltration marker), nitrite/nitrate, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α analysis. CP extract did not affect IEC viability. CP extract (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) reduced (p < 0.05) NPX-induced macroscopic and microscopic gastric lesions. In addition, it (3.0 mg/kg) prevented the depletion of GSH levels and reduced MDA formation and MPO. TNF-α and IL-6 levels were also reduced in mice subjected to NPX-induced gastric ulcers, compared with the control group. Furthermore, the extract reversed the increase in nitrite/nitrate concentration induced by NPX in stomach tissues. Therefore, our results demonstrate that CP has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities against NPX-induced gastric ulcers.