Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate proteins from Plumeria pudica latex (LPPp) for their protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric injury in mice. METHODS: The LPPp fraction was obtained by collecting P. pudica latex in tubes containing distilled water, followed by centrifugation and dialysis. The female Swiss mice (Mus musculus) received saline or LPPp (40 mg/kg) intraperitoneally 1 hour before oral administration of 500 μL of 50% ethanol. One hour later, the animals were euthanized, and their stomachs were removed for evaluation of tissue lesion area, histopathological analysis, and measurements of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and nitrate/nitrite (NO3/NO2). An independent experiment assessed the effect of LPPp on gastric mucus production. RESULTS: The LPPp-treated animals showed a significant reduction in the mean injured areas of gastric tissue (0.73 ± 1.01 mm2) compared to the ethanol group (37.99 ± 3.11 mm2). Histopathological analysis revealed significant preservation of tissue architecture in the LPPp group compared to ethanol group. Additionally, LPPp maintained tissue levels of MDA, GSH, SOD, and NO3/NO2 comparable to the saline group and influenced gastric mucus production favorably (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that LPPp has a protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric lesions, likely involving antioxidant activity and increased gastric mucus production.