Gastroprotective Potential of Pedalium murex Linn. Leaf Extract Against Experimentally Induced Gastric Ulcers: Phytochemical Characterization and Pharmacological Evaluation

Abstract

Background: Gastric acid hypersecretion, oxidative stress, Helicobacter pylori infection, and long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) are all linked to peptic ulcer disease (PUD), one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions in the world. There are a number of anti-ulcer drugs on the market, but long-term use of them may result in side effects and recurrence, so it's important to look for safer and more potent natural substitute

Objective: The current work used pylorus ligation and aspirin-induced gastric ulcer models in Wistar rats to examine the gastroprotective properties of a 50% ethanolic leaf extract of Pedalium murex Linn.

Materials and Methods: Pedalium murex leaves were gathered, verified, shade-dried, and extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus with 50% ethanol. HPLC analysis, TLC profiling, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and preliminary phytochemical screening were carried out. The OECD guideline 425 was used to assess acute oral toxicity. At dosages of 200 and 400 mg/kg, anti-ulcer efficacy was evaluated in stomach ulcer models generated by aspirin and pylorus ligation. The typical medication was rabeprazole (20 mg/kg). The following parameters were assessed: gastric volume, pH, free acidity, total acidity, ulcer score, ulcer index, percentage ulcer inhibition, and histological alterations.

Results: It was discovered that the extract yield was 16.52%. The existence of flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, carbohydrates, and phenolic substances was verified by phytochemical analysis. The extract's total phenolic and flavonoid levels were 15.0 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g and 12.82 ± 0.05 mg QE/g, respectively. Quercetin was identified as a significant phytoconstituent by HPLC analysis. Studies on acute toxicity showed that the extract was safe up to 2000 mg/kg. The extract considerably decreased stomach secretion, acidity, ulcer score, ulcer index, and ulcer number in pylorus ligation-induced ulceration while raising gastric pH. Ulceration was inhibited by 54.05% at the higher dose (400 mg/kg). With 57.43% ulcer inhibition at 400 mg/kg, the extract significantly improved gastroprotection in aspirin-induced ulcers. Histopathological analysis showed a significant improvement in the integrity of the stomach mucosa and a decrease in inflammatory infiltration.

Conclusion: The results show that Pedalium murex 50% ethanolic leaf extract has strong gastroprotective activity, which may be explained by its flavonoid-rich phytochemical profile, antioxidant qualities, antisecretory effects, and cytoprotective mechanisms. The study supports Pedalium murex's potential as a promising natural anti-ulcer agent and provides scientific validation for its traditional use in gastrointestinal problems.