Antioxidant Mechanisms Underlying the Gastroprotective Effect of Menthofuran on Experimentally Induced Gastric Lesions in Rodents

Naira Moura Alves; Paulo Humberto Moreira Nunes; Anderson Mendes Garcez; Manoela Carine Lima de Freitas; Irisdalva Sousa Oliveira; Francilene Vieira da Silva; Hélio de Barros Fernandes; Damião Pergentino de Sousa; Rita de Cássia Meneses Oliveira; Daniel Dias Rufino Arcanjo; Maria do Carmo de Carvalho E Martins

doi:10.1155/2023/9192494

Antioxidant Mechanisms Underlying the Gastroprotective Effect of Menthofuran on Experimentally Induced Gastric Lesions in Rodents

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2023 Apr 7:2023:9192494. doi: 10.1155/2023/9192494. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Naira Moura Alves¹, Paulo Humberto Moreira Nunes^{1

2}, Anderson Mendes Garcez², Manoela Carine Lima de Freitas², Irisdalva Sousa Oliveira¹, Francilene Vieira da Silva¹, Hélio de Barros Fernandes^{1

2}, Damião Pergentino de Sousa³, Rita de Cássia Meneses Oliveira^{1

2}, Daniel Dias Rufino Arcanjo², Maria do Carmo de Carvalho E Martins^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Medicinal Plants Research Center, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil.
² Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil.
³ Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.

Abstract

Menthofuran is a monoterpene present in various essential oils derived from species from Mentha genus, and in Brazil, those species are widely used in treating gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. Considering the wide pharmacological potential of monoterpenes, including their antioxidant activity, this study aimed to evaluate menthofuran-gastroprotective activity, as well as the involvement of antioxidant mechanisms in this effect. The acute toxicity was evaluated according to the fixed dose method. The antiulcerogenic activity was investigated by using experimental models of gastric ulcers induced by ethanol, indomethacin, and ischemia/reperfusion in rats. The antisecretory gastric activity, the catalase activity, and the gastric wall mucus were determined in pylorus ligated rats. Gastric wall nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) group content, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were evaluated in ethanol-induced the gastric ulcer model. Menthofuran (2 g/kg) presented low acute toxicity and showed gastroprotective activity against ethanol-, indomethacin-, and ischemia/reperfusion-induced ulcers. Moreover, menthofuran presented antisecretory activity, reduced the total acidity, and increased pH of gastric secretion. On the other hand, a decrease in mucus content of gastric wall without alteration of gastric juice volume and catalase activity was observed. Interestingly, menthofuran increased NPSH levels and reduced MDA levels and MPO activity. Gastroprotective effects of menthofuran appear to be mediated, at least in part, by the NOS pathway, endogenous prostaglandins, reduced gastric juice acidity, increased concentration of the NPSH groups, and reduced lipidic peroxidation. These findings support the menthofuran as an effective gastroprotective agent, as well as the marked participation of antioxidant mechanisms in this response.