EVALUATION OF ANTI-OXIDANT AND ANTI-ULCER ACTIVITY OF A POLYHERBAL FORMULATION IN NSAIDS-INDUCED ULCER MODEL

ABSTRACT Background: Gastric ulcer is a common gastrointestinal disorder resulting from an imbalance between aggressive factors, such as gastric acid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and oxidative stress, and protective mechanisms of the gastric mucosa. Although conventional anti-ulcer drugs are effective, their long-term use is associated with several adverse effects, prompting the search for safer plant-based alternatives. Methods: The selected medicinal plants were shade-dried, powdered, and formulated into a polyherbal preparation. Preliminary phytochemical screening was performed to identify major bioactive constituents. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay with ascorbic acid as the reference standard. Anti-ulcer activity was assessed in aspirin-induced gastric ulcer models using Wistar rats. Gastric pH, ulcer index, gastric volume, and total protein content were determined. Acute oral toxicity was evaluated according to OECD Guideline 423. Results: Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, glycosides, and saponins. The formulation demonstrated concentration-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity, indicating significant antioxidant potential. Acute toxicity studies revealed no mortality or observable toxic effects at 2000 mg/kg. In the aspirin-induced ulcer model, the polyherbal formulation significantly reduced ulcer index, increased gastric pH, restored total protein content, and exhibited dose-dependent gastroprotective activity comparable to omeprazole. Conclusion: The polyherbal formulation exhibited significant antioxidant and gastroprotective activities with an excellent safety profile. These findings support its potential as a safe, effective, and natural therapeutic alternative for the management of NSAID-induced gastric ulcers. Further mechanistic investigations and clinical studies are warranted to validate its therapeutic efficacy. Keywords: Gastric ulcer; Polyherbal formulation; Psidium guajava; Acacia catechu; Azadirachta indica; Glycyrrhiza glabra; Antioxidant activity.