The gastroprotective effects of 70% acetone extracts of
Quercus suber and
Quercus coccifera leavesand of tannins (pedunculagin, castalagin, phillyraeoidin A, and acutissimin B) purified from theseextracts were examined in the mouse using the
ethanol-
induced gastric ulcer model. Both extracts(25, 50, and 100 mg/kg), given orally, prevented the formation of
ethanol-
induced lesions in thestomach. The percent protection varied between 68 and 91%. Purified tannins (50 mg/kg) were alsoeffective in protecting the stomach against
ethanol, and the percent protection varied from 66 to83%. Castalagin was the most potent. Both extracts and all of the tannins tested (10, 25, and 50
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g/mL) strongly inhibited (55-65%) the lipid peroxidation of rabbit brain homogenate. These resultssuggest that the gastroprotective effects of extracts of
Q.
suber and
Q.
coccifera leaves and thepurified tannins in this experimental model are related to their anti-lipoperoxidant properties.Keywords: Experimental
gastric ulcer; lipid peroxidation; medicinal plants;
Quercus sp.; tannins;castalagin