Antiulcer Exploration of some Bioactive Indian Plants through Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcer Model

Abstract

This investigation assessed the gastroprotective effects of extracts from five traditional Indian plants—Moringa oleifera (leaves), Plumbago zeylanica (roots), Amaranthus tricolor (leaves), Elephantopus scaber (whole plant), and Cassia tora (leaves)—using an ethanol-based gastric ulcer model in rats. The experimental setup included nine groups: a vehicle-treated normal group, an untreated ulcer group, a reference group receiving omeprazole (20 mg/kg), groups treated with individual plant extracts (200 mg/kg each), and a group given a combined polyherbal extract (200 mg/kg per extract). Ulcer severity was quantified via ulcer index scores, and protective efficacy was determined by percentage reduction in ulceration. The polyherbal mixture displayed the strongest protection, with an ulcer index of 2.01 ± 0.17 and 86.15% inhibition, exceeding omeprazole's 83.89%. Analysis of oxidative stress indicators—such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total protein (TP)—revealed marked normalization in the polyherbal group, highlighting reduced oxidative damage and bolstered mucosal integrity. Histological examinations supported these observations, showing decreased epithelial injury, limited inflammation, and promoted tissue recovery across treated cohorts. These outcomes underscore the robust antiulcer capabilities of both single and combined extracts, driven by their antioxidative, barrier-strengthening, and reparative attributes. The data endorse polyherbal approaches for ulcer therapy and call for advanced research, including bioactive isolation, pathway elucidation, and human trials to address peptic ulcer conditions.