Protective Effect of Cimicifuga heracleifolia Ethanol Extract and Its Constituents against Gastric Injury

Cimicifuga heracleifolia (CH) ethanol extract and its constituents such as ferulic acid, caffeic acid, 24-epi-7,8-didehydrocimigenol-3-xyloside, and 23-O-acetylshengmanol 3-xyloside were investigated for their abilities to prevent gastric injury. To elucidate their gastric-protective effects, we assessed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-radical scavenging activity and inhibition of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and gastric cancer cells. Ferulic acid and caffeic acid exhibited higher free radical scavenging activity than other constituents and inhibited the colonization of H. pylori effectively. Furthermore, 24-epi-7,8-didehydrocimigenol-3-xyloside and 23-O-acetylshengmanol-3-xyloside showed cytotoxicity in gastric cancer cells (SNU638 and AGS cells). These results suggest the novel activities of CH ethanol extract and its constituents. CH ethanol extract and its constituents could be utilized for the treatment and/or prevention of gastric injury.