INVESTIGATION OF PHYTOCHEMICAL AND INVITRO ANTI ULCER ACTIVITY OF BOMBAX CEIBA AND COPTIS JAPONICA
TL;DR
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.
Abstract
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.