Abstract

BARZAGA FERNANDEZ, Pedro Gilberto et al. Antiulcer activity and oral acute toxicity of microcrystalline cellulose suspension 12 %. Rev Cubana Farm [online]. 2004, vol.38, n.2, pp.1-1. ISSN 0034-7515.

The microcrystalline cellulose has been used recently in the treatment of alkaline gastritis due to duodenogastric biliary reflux. A toxicological study was conducted and the antiulcer effect of microcrystalline cellulose suspension 12 % was evaluated in rats. Acute oral toxicity was determined by the limited dose test through the administration of a dose of 2 000 mg/kg to animals of both sexes. The protective effect over the gastric mucosa was evaluated in the injuries induced by sodium taurocholate. Doses of 240, 360 and 540 mg/kg of the suspension were tested. As a result, no mortality was reported for the tested dose in the toxicological study. Therefore, the substance was clasiffied as non toxic. The different doses used for the antiulcer effect reduced significantly the number and intensity of the injuries depending on the dose. The mean effective dose was 356.8 mg/kg. These findings allowed to suggest that the protective effect microcrystalline cellulose suspension 12 % could be given by an inactivation of the biliary acids or by an alteration in the quantity or composition of the layer of mucus covering the gastric mucosa.

Keywords : Microcrystalline cellulose; rats; toxicity; gastric ulcers; sodium taurocholate.