petiveria alliacea l

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.

Thank you all for your time and consideration.

Are there any questions, comments or suggestions?