ANTI-ULCEROGENIC ACTIVITY OF A COMBINATION OF CLITORIA TERNATEA AND CASSIA TORA IN INDOMETHACIN INDUCED GASTRIC ULCER

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and anti-ulcer potential of ethanol extracts of Clitoria ternatea and Cassia tora, individually and in polyherbal formulation, using an indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Materials and Methods: Leaves of both plants were extracted using Soxhlet apparatus with ethanol. Qualitative phytochemical screening and quantitative estimation of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were performed. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Herbal suspensions were formulated and evaluated for physicochemical parameters. Anti-ulcer activity was investigated in Wistar rats using indomethacin (25 mg/kg, p.o.)-induced gastric ulcer model, followed by assessment of ulcer index, gastric volume, pH, and free acidity. Results: Clitoria ternatea exhibited higher phenolic (48.1 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid content (60.1 mg RE/g) compared to Cassia tora. It also demonstrated stronger antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 24.06 µg/mL) than Cassia tora (IC₅₀ = 30.59 µg/mL). In vivo studies showed significant reduction in ulcer index, gastric volume, and free acidity in treated groups compared to ulcer control. The polyherbal formulation showed the most pronounced gastroprotective effect, with gastric parameters approaching those of the standard drug-treated group. Conclusion: The findings indicate that both plants possess significant antioxidant and anti-ulcer activity, with enhanced efficacy observed in combination, supporting their potential as natural gastroprotective agents.