Gastroprotective effect of Lippia nodiflora L. extracts in ethanol-induced gastric lesions

Lippia nodiflora L., is a herbaceous, perennial and prostrate plant; containing a group of flavonoids. Accumulating evidence indicates potential therapeutic benefits of flavonoids as anti-oxidative in pathological conditions associated with oxidative stress. Here, we examined the gastroprotective effect of different fractions (n-Hexane, acetylacetate, aqueous and total extract) of Lippia nodiflora in ethyl alcohol-induced ulcer in rats. Our results showed that all these fractions significantly reduced gastric contents of Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), which represent a biochemical marker of oxidative stress associated with lipid peroxidation. This was mirrored by a marked decrease in ulcer index observed for different fractions. These data suggest a potential anti-ulcerative activity for Lippia nodiflora extracts and this might be due to, at least partly, their antioxidant property.