Protective mucus effect of the crude fraction of the mucus produced by the zoanthide Palythoa caribaeorum

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the gastroduodenal protective action of crude fraction extracted from P. caribaeorum mucus in Wistar rats.

Main method: Initially, phytochemical screening was performed to measure secondary metabolites present in the extract. Subsequently, studies of gastroprotective action in Wistar rats were developed. The animals were randomly divided into six experimental groups: SF0.9% group, misoprostol group, and test groups (200, 100, 10, and 1 mg/kg) that received different doses of the crude fraction of zoanthid mucus (CFZM) diluted in SF0.9%. After 14 days of treatment, acute gastric ulcers were induced by gavage by administering aspirin (200 mg/kg). The stomach and duodenum were removed for histopathological and gene analysis of the mucosa.

Key findings: The present study found that all investigated metabolites showed negative results. The crude fraction showed a gastric and duodenal protective effect evidenced by an increase in the amount and production of mucins (MUC1 and MUC5AC) and mucus production area in the stomach. Histopathological analysis evidenced a decrease in epithelial damage in the duodenum, with a more significant extension of intestinal villi and a greater amount of goblet cells.

Significance: The crude fraction, extracted from P. caribaeorum, showed gastric and duodenal protective action and is not inert in murine gastroduodenal tissues.

Keywords: Gastroduodenal protective; Gastroprotector; P. caribaeorum; Protective mucus.