The healing effects of Centella extract and asiaticoside on acetic acid induced gastric ulcers in rats

Life Sci. 2004 Mar 19;74(18):2237-49. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2003.09.055.

Abstract

In this study, the healing effects of Centella asiatica water extract (CE) and asiaticoside (AC), an active constituent of CE, on acetic acid induced gastric ulcers (kissing ulcers) in rats were examined. CE was prepared from Centella asiatica dry plant and the concentration of AC in CE was quantitatively determined with the use of high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Different concentrations of CE and AC were orally administered to rats with kissing ulcers. They were found to reduce the size of the ulcers at day 3 and 7 in a dose-dependent manner, with a concomitant attenuation of myeloperoxidase activity at the ulcer tissues. Epithelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis were on the other hand promoted. The expression of basic fibroblast growth factor, an important angiogenic factor, was also upregulated in the ulcer tissues in rats treated with CE or AC. These results further suggest the potential use of Centella asiatica and its active ingredient as anti-gastric ulcers drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetic Acid
  • Animals
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / analysis
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Centella / chemistry*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Gastric Mucosa / drug effects
  • Male
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic
  • Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Stomach Ulcer / chemically induced
  • Stomach Ulcer / drug therapy*
  • Stomach Ulcer / metabolism
  • Triterpenes / analysis
  • Triterpenes / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Triterpenes
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
  • Peroxidase
  • asiaticoside
  • Acetic Acid