PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF ALLIUM SATIVUM AND TERMINALIA CHEBULA: IMPLICATIONS FOR PEPTIC ULCER MANAGEMENT AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE MITIGATION

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) remains a significant gastrointestinal disorder worldwide, largely associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and exacerbated by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The current study investigates the phytochemical composition of Allium sativum (garlic) and evaluates its potential therapeutic role in managing PUD, H. pylori eradication, and AMR mitigation. Preliminary phytochemical screening of garlic extracts using various solvents confirmed the presence of bioactive constituents including alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and saponins, with ethanolic extracts showing the highest concentrations. Quantitative analysis further revealed notable levels of alkaloids (2.53 mg/g), phenols (2.70 mg/g), flavonoids (2.13 mg/g), and terpenoids (2.18 mg/g), all of which are known for their gastroprotective and antimicrobial properties. High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) profiling confirmed the presence of key phytoconstituents such as alliin, gallic acid, rutin, and lupeol. These compounds are documented to inhibit H. pylori, reduce oxidative stress, and promote mucosal healing. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) further quantified allicin, a potent sulfur-containing compound, with a retention time of 16.789 minutes. Allicin exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and disrupts bacterial biofilms, aiding in H. pylori eradication and reducing the development of resistance. The study highlights the therapeutic relevance of A. sativum in gastrointestinal health and as a natural alternative or adjunct to conventional ulcer therapies. Its phytochemical complexity and multi-targeted mechanisms make it a promising candidate in addressing both peptic ulcer disease and the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance.