Antiulcerogenic and antioxidant activities of Baccharis trimera (Less) DC (Asteraceae)

Baccharis trimera (Less) DC (Asteraceae) is a medicinal Brazilian plant well-known by "carqueja". Natural from tropical regions, used as home-made medicine as anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemiant and for the treatment of digestive problems. The evaluation of the antiulcer activity of the extract and the "resin" (portion which during the extracts concentration was settled at the bottom of the recipient, showing a viscous and clammy aspect), was accomplished through the acute induction by acidified ethanol. The lyophilized extract, at a dose of 400 mg/kg, reduced the lesion area at 90%; 200 mg/kg, at 87%; 100 mg/kg, at 66%; and the control (lansoprazol) at 66%. The "resin" administered at the 400 mg/kg dose reduced the lesion area at 82%; 200 mg/kg, at 82%, 100 mg/kg, at 53% and the control (lansoprazol), at 70%. The antioxidant activity of the lyophilized extract, of the "resin" of the powdered drug, of the chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and 50% ethanol fractions was tested following the method which reduces the 2,2-dipheny l-1 -picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, permitting after the reaction balance, to calculate the amount of antioxidant spent to reduce 50% of the DPPH. The result was meaningful, when compared with the vitamin E result. The acute toxicity test performed in mice showed no apparent alteration.

Baccharis trimera; carqueja; anti-inflammatory; hypoglycemiant; antiulcer; digestive problems