Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Gastric Antiulcerogenic Activities of the Hydroalcoholic Extract and Leaf Fractions of Solanum stipulaceum Roem. and Schult.

Background: An earlier ethnobotanical study showed that the species Solanum stipulaceum was indicated first in many orders for the treatment of gastric ulcers. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate phytochemical profile and the antioxidant, antiulcerogenic, protective redox, and cytotoxicity activities of the hydroethanol extract (HEE) and leaf fractions of this plant. Materials and Methods: The HEE was obtained by maceration and fractionated by liquid–liquid extraction in fractions: hexane fraction, chloroform fraction (CF), ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), and hydromethanol fraction (HMF). Phytochemical profile was evaluated by colorimetric methods. Antioxidant activity was measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The cellular toxicity was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. In vivo antiulcerogenic activity was investigated using the ethanol-induced acute ulcer model. Afterward, protective redox activity was assessed with the plasma and liver of these animals using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay. Results: Tannins, free steroids, triterpenes, alkaloids, and flavonoids were found in HEE, and total flavonoid measured was 5.26 ± 0.23 μg/mg of the extract. The DPPH activity was higher than 70% for HEE, EAF, and CF. Treatment with HEE (200 and 400 mg/kg) and CF, EAF, and HMF (200 mg/kg) inhibited the ulcer. CF reduces gastric lesions by 88.29% (50 mg/kg) and 85.65% (100 mg/kg). The HEE (400 mg/kg), CF, and EAF (200 mg/kg) reduced oxidative stress in the plasma and in the liver. HMF (200 mg/kg) reduced oxidative stress only in the liver. The HEE and fractions 10–50 μg/mL (P < 0.05) were nontoxic, maintaining cell viability at 65%. Conclusion: The extract and fractions have antioxidant activity in vitro and ex vivo, antiulcerogenic effect in vivo, and low cytotoxicity up to 50 μg/mL.