In vivo/in vitro studies of the effects of the type II arabinogalactan isolated from Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reissek on the gastrointestinal tract of rats.

Type II arabinogalactan (AG) is a polysaccharide found in Maytenus ilicifolia (Celastraceae), a plant reputed as gastroprotective. Oral and intraperitoneal administration of the AG protected rats from gastric ulcers induced by ethanol. No alteration of mechanisms related to acid gastric secretion and gastrointestinal motility were observed.