Background: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) remains a global health burden with limitations of current therapies
including side effects of proton pump inhibitors and rising antibiotic resistance against Helicobacter pylori.
Medicinal plants offer multi-targeted gastroprotective alternatives. Objective: To investigate the phytochemical
profile and in-vitro anti-ulcer activity of Bombax ceiba stem bark and Coptis japonica rhizomes. Methods: Aqueous,
hydroalcoholic, methanolic, and ethanolic extracts were prepared. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical
analyses (total phenolic, flavonoid, alkaloid, and tannin content) were performed. In-vitro anti-ulcer activity was
evaluated using acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC), H⁺/K⁺-ATPase (proton pump) inhibition assay, pepsin inhibition
assay, and cytoprotective activity against ethanol-induced damage in human gastric epithelial (AGS) cells.
Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate served as standards. Results: Hydroalcoholic extract of B. ceiba showed
highest total phenolic (186.4 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (112.5 mg QE/g) content, while methanolic extract of C.
japonica exhibited highest alkaloid content (245.8 mg/g). In ANC, B. ceiba hydroalcoholic extract (18.6 mEq/g) was
comparable to sodium bicarbonate (21.2 mEq/g). For H⁺/K⁺-ATPase inhibition, C. japonica methanolic extract (IC₅₀
= 28.4 µg/mL) showed potent activity approaching omeprazole (12.6 µg/mL). Both plants demonstrated
concentration-dependent pepsin inhibition and significant cytoprotection in AGS cells (up to 82% viability at 200
µg/mL). Conclusion: Bombax ceiba exhibits excellent acid-neutralizing and cytoprotective effects attributed to
phenolics and tannins, whereas Coptis japonica is a potent natural H⁺/K⁺-ATPase inhibitor due to its high alkaloid
(berberine) content. Both plants possess multi-target anti-ulcer mechanisms, supporting their traditional use and
offering potential as safer, alternative or adjunctive therapies for peptic ulcer disease.
A. Aditi, Waseem Khan, Sanjay Singh· International Journal of Dru...· 0 citations
Background: The kidneys are highly susceptible to chemical-induced injury due to their
substantial blood supply and solute-concentrating role. This study evaluated the protective efficacy
of the methanolic leaf extract of Cedrus deodara against lead acetate-induced nephrotoxicity in
Wistar rats.
Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=6). Group 1 served as the normal
control. Group 2 (disease control) received lead acetate (60 mg/kg p.o.) daily for 4 weeks. Groups
3 and 4 concurrently received lead acetate alongside C. deodara extract at 250 mg/kg and 500
mg/kg (p.o.), respectively. Group 5 received standard EDTA (50 mg/kg p.o.). On day 29, serum
biomarkers (blood urea, BUN, creatinine, and inorganic phosphorus) were quantified, and renal
tissues underwent histopathological examination.
Results: Lead acetate administration caused severe renal impairment, significantly increasing
blood urea (24.33± 2.160 mg/dl, serum creatinine (1.840±0.03742 mg/dl, and inorganic phosphorus
(15.68±0.3189 mg/dl compared to normal controls (p < 0.001). Histopathology confirmed severe
tubular necrosis, hemorrhage, and marked lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. Co-treatment with C.
deodara significantly reversed these biochemical changes (p < 0.001). While both plant doses
normalized creatinine and urea comparably (p > 0.999), the 500 mg/kg dose showed superior
efficacy in reducing inorganic phosphorus (8.520±0.4105 mg/dl over the 250mg/kg dose (p<
0.001). Histopathologically, the treated groups showed an "almost recovered" pyelonephritis
profile with minimal tubular lesions.
Conclusion: The methanolic leaf extract of Cedrus deodara exhibits potent nephroprotective
activity against lead-induced toxicity. It effectively normalizes key renal clearance biomarkers and
preserves microstructural tissue integrity, supporting its potential as a natural therapeutic option.
Anjali Singh, Sanjay Singh, R. Dhariyal· International Journal of Dru...· 0 citations