Juan Carlos Mollo Urbano, Frank Brandon Samaniego TiahualIpa, Rosario León Paul Hertz, Alan Jhon Cárdenas Suca, Elkin Arturo Perez Azurza, Oscar Gustavo Huamán Gutiérrez, Marita Lozano Cueva
Introduction: Disorders associated with gastric hypersecretion, such as gastritis and peptic ulcer, represent a significant public health problem. The search for therapeutic alternatives from natural sources has gained great interest due to the adverse effects of conventional drugs.
Objectives: To evaluate the gastroprotective effect of Cucurbita maxima Duch. seed kernel intake against histamine-induced gastric hypersecretion in rats.
Materials and Methods: An experimental study was conducted with 36 male Holtzman rats, divided into six groups (n=6). A hypersecretion model using pyloric ligation and histamine induction was employed. Treatment groups received physiological saline (controls), ranitidine (50 mg/kg, positive control), or a C. maxima kernel suspension at doses of 200, 400, and 1000 mg/kg. Indicators were evaluated in gastric juice (volume, pH, proton equivalent, peptic activity) and gastric tissue (mucus production, lipoperoxidation, and glutathione profile).
Results: The 400 and 1000 mg/kg doses of the C. maxima suspension significantly reduced lipoperoxidation by 44.2% and 40.4%, respectively, and increased mucus production by 77.8% and 64.8%. Likewise, these doses markedly improved the GSH/GSSG ratio by 263.8% and 237.5%, respectively. The 1000 mg/kg dose also produced a significant reduction in gastric juice volume (27.4%), proton equivalent (22.9%), and peptic activity (24.2%).
Conclusions: The intake of Cucurbita maxima Duch. seed kernel exerted a dose-dependent gastroprotective effect against histamine-induced gastric damage, mediated by cytoprotective, antioxidant, and, at high doses, anti-secretory mechanisms.
Introduction: Disorders associated with gastric hyper secretion, such as gastritis and peptic ulcer, represent a sig nificant public health problem. The search for therapeutic alternatives from natural sources has gained great interest due to the adverse effects of conventional drugs.
Objectives: To evaluate the gastroprotective effect of Cucurbita maxima Duch. seed kernel intake against hista mine-induced gastric hypersecretion in rats.
Materials and Methods: An experimental study was con ducted with 36 male Holtzman rats (200 – 250 g), divided into six groups (n=6). An acute model of gastric hypersecretion was employed using pyloric ligation and histamine induction. Treatment groups received physiological saline (controls), ranitidine (50 mg/kg, positive control), or a C. maxima kernel suspension at doses of 200, 400, and 1000 mg/kg for tha oro gastric route. Indicators were evaluated in gastric juice (vol ume, pH, proton equivalent, peptic activity) and gastric tissue (mucus production, lipoperoxidation, and glutathione profile).
Results: The 400 and 1000 mg/kg doses of the C. maxima suspension significantly reduced lipoperoxidation by 44.2% and 40.4%, respectively, and increased mucus production by 77.8% and 64.8%. Likewise, these doses markedly improved the GSH/GSSG ratio by 263.8% and 237.5%, respectively. The 1000 mg/kg dose also produced a significant reduction in gastric juice volume (27.4%), proton equivalent (22.9%), and peptic activity (24.2%).
Conclusions: The intake of Cucurbita maxima Duch. seed kernel exerted a dose-dependent gastroprotective effect against histamine-induced gastric damage, mediated by cyto protective, antioxidant, and, at high doses, anti-secretory mechanisms.