Natural Medicines as Gastro-protective Therapy in the Treatment of Peptic Ulcer: A Multifaceted Approach

Abstract

Abstract: Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are the ailments of the digestive tract that affect its function, including digestion, absorption, and excretion. The dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract may occur due to infections by bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Peptic ulcer disease is a gastrointestinal tract disorder of the stomach and duodenum associated with infection of Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter pylori is regarded as the worldwide causative agent responsible for the etiology of peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma. The existing drug therapies are good healers in this situation, but due to resistance problems and side effects of drugs, researchers have been working to find out some safe alternatives. Interestingly, the medicinal herbs have been used for treating several disorders, including peptic ulcers, and are considered an effective and safer alternative to existing drugs. They are also considered eco-friendly, easily available, safe, and less toxic than traditional treatment therapy. Combining herbal medicines with natural products has been shown effective in treating peptic ulcers. In this review, the medicinal plants used against H. pylori infection have been discussed. The mechanisms of herbal drugs in healing peptic ulcers involve inhibition of H+ K+ ATPase pump, reduction in gastric acid secretion, and protection of gastric mucosa that have also been elaborated in this review. The phytochemicals responsible for biological activity have been summarized in the present article. The combination of herbs and natural products in the form of the polyherbal formulation may also be helpful as an effective therapy for treating peptic ulcers. Medicinal plants may offer the researchers new chemical molecules to explore as future drugs or as biochemical agents to unravel the etiology of the disease.