PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF FICUS ELASTICA LEAVES AGAINST ASPIRIN-INDUCED ULCER MODEL IN ALBINO WISTAR RATS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD), a prevalent GI malady, is exacerbated by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, which impair mucosal integrity by exerting antiprostaglandin effects. The search for safer therapeutic alternatives has emphasized the importance of medicinal plants. Among other species being used for reducing inflammation and ulcers, Ficus elastica is under scientific investigation for its gastroprotective properties. herein, investigate the pharmacological efficacy of ethanol extract of Ficus elastica leaves in the management of aspirin-induced ulcers, as can be extrapolated from the preclinical studies conducted with Wistar rat models. The extract significantly reduced ulcer index, gastric volume and acidity, promoting mucosal healing through possible mechanisms such as antioxidant activity, modulation of prostaglandins, inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and cytoprotection. Ficus elastica showed equivalent or superior activity in wound healing and reducing oxidative stress over standard antiulcer compounds, omeprazole, with an added advantage of a safety perspective. Although encouraging, current evidence is largely limited to animal studies. Standardisation, risk of no clinical trials, and regulatory challenges will have to be addressed. More translational research, including clinical validation and mechanistic studies, is necessary to confirm the use of Ficus elastica as a potential natural antiulcer agent.