Petiveria alliacea L. Extract for the Treatment of

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Edwin J. Alvarado

Petiveria alliacea L.

• Petiveria alliacea L., also known as Anamú or garlic weed, is a very influential plant in traditional medicine.

• Proved to possess antibacterial1 and analgesic2 properties, among others.

• Both contribute to the plant’s reputation for calming GERD symptoms.

Question/Problem

• Can the extract from the Petiveria alliacea L. affect the stomach’s pH or, more ideally, the stomach’s acid irrigation?

Hypothesis

• If the contents of the stomach are irrigated with the plant’s extract, the pH levels of the acid will increase, inhibiting the stomach’s acid irrigation over a long term exposition, sparing damage to the organs involved.

Chemical Experiment

• Prepare a solution of HCl, KCl and NaCl, among others, add consecutive doses of extract and record pH.

• To determine if extract acts as a buffer solution.

• If true, determine buffer region.

In Vivo Experiment

• Organism: Mice / Rats

• Quantity: 20 per group (80 in total)

• Variables: Presence of extract in ingestion

Presence of acid promoters

Prowess over time

• Period: 4 weeks

Experimental Groups

• Group A

• P. alliacea extract

• No acid promoter foods

Group B

P. alliacea extract

Acid promoter foods

Group C

No P. alliacea extract

Acid promoter foods

Control Group

• Group D (NEGATIVE CONTROL)

• No P. alliacea extract

• No acid promoter foods

Methodology

• Strict, standardized diets, varying only aforementioned factors.

• After each week, collect five specimens from each group and extract stomach contents.

• Analyze pH, acid concentration, gastric component concentration.

• Interpret results.

Objectives

• To determine if the extract “neutralizes” the stomach’s pH and in what capacity.

• To determine if the extract affects the stomach’s acid irrigation and in what capacity.

• To determine efficiency, if any, in abnormal stomach conditions.

• To determine the efficiency, if any, of short term treatment versus long term.

Goal

• Provide those afflicted with GERD an alternative treatment that both relieves pain and controls the disease

References

1. Kim S, Kubic R, Musah RA. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of sulfur-containing compounds from Petiveria Alliacea L. 2005. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com. Accessed: 2012 June 21.

2. Lopes-Martins RAB, Pegoraro DH, Woisky R, Penna SC, Sertié JAA. The anti-Inflammatory and analgesic effects of a crude extract of Petiveria Alliacea L. (Phytolaccaceae). 2004. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com. Accessed: 2012 June 21.