Healing process induced by a flavonic fraction of Bidens aurea on chronic gastric lesion in rat. Role of angiogenesis and neutrophil inhibition.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of the healing process mediated by the flavonic fraction of Bidens aurea on chronic gastric ulceration induced by 5% acetic acid in rats. The diethyl ether extract (125 and 62.5 mg kg-1 body weight) was administered in a single doses, 7 and 14 days after provocation of lesions. Our results demonstrated that both doses significantly decreased the macro and microscopic ulcer index. Usually after 14-days treatment the lesions were found completely covered with regenerative epithelium and also an important proliferation of blood vessels was observed. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was assayed and used as an index of leucocyte infiltration. Application of acetic acid produced a significant increase of this activity 7 days after induction of chronic injury. Administration of 125 mg kg-1 of the ether extract provoked a sharp reduction on the enzymatic activity at the same period. After 14 days, this decrease was higher with both doses (p < 0.001). In addition, the macroscopic examination showed a drastic reduction of leucocyte infiltration in treated groups. These results suggest that the recovery of vascularization of the ulcerated area and the decrease of neutrophil infiltration are involved in the antiulcerogenic effect of the flavonoid fraction of Bidens aurea.