EVALUATION OF IN VITRO ANTI-ULCER ACTIVITY OF HIBISCUS MUTABILIS LINN. ROOT EXTRACT BY ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY ASSAY

Peptic ulcer disease is a common gastrointestinal disorder resulting from an imbalance between aggressive factors such as gastric acid and protective mechanisms of the gastric mucosa. Although conventional anti-ulcer drugs are effective, their long-term use may be associated with adverse effects. Therefore, medicinal plants are being extensively investigated as safer alternatives. Hibiscus mutabilis Linn. is a medicinal plant traditionally used for various therapeutic purposes owing to its rich phytochemical composition; however, its anti-ulcer potential has been inadequately explored, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro anti-ulcer activity of the root extract of Hibiscus mutabilis Linn. by determining its Acid Neutralizing Capacity (ANC) and comparing its activity with the standard antacid, sodium bicarbonate. The Acid Neutralizing Capacity assay was performed by reacting different concentrations (0.1–0.5 g) of the plant extract with a fixed volume of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (HCl). After allowing sufficient time for neutralization, the excess acid was back-titrated using 0.1 N sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with phenolphthalein as the indicator. Sodium bicarbonate was used as the standard. The amount of acid neutralized by the extract was calculated and expressed as Acid Neutralizing Capacity (ANC).