Phytochemical Screening and Pharmacological Assessment of the Antiulcer Activity of Gardenia latifolia Leaves in Experimental Rats

Gastric acid hypersecretion, oxidative stress, Helicobacter pylori infection, and prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the primary etiological factors of peptic ulcer disease, a significant gastrointestinal disorder.This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological antiulcer properties and phytochemical composition of Gardenia latifolia leaves using experimental ulcer models in rats.The pharmacognostic and physicochemical examination demonstrated satisfactory purity and stability, with total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and water-soluble ash values of 9.42 ± 0.18%, 2.06 ± 0.07%, and 4.85 ± 0.11% w/w, respectively.Furthermore, the loss on drying value was 6.12 ± 0.18% w/w.The polar components were identified as the most prevalent in the sequential solvent extractions, producing the maximum yields in the methanolic (14.8 ± 0.6% w/w) and aqueous (11.4 ± 0.5% w/w) extracts, respectively.The extractive value analysis indicated a significant presence of polar and semi-polar phytoconstituents, corroborating the elevated levels of water-soluble (24.18 ± 0.35% w/w) and alcohol-soluble (17.36 ± 0.29% w/w) fractions.Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of several components in the methanolic and aqueous extracts, including tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, polysaccharides, and steroids.The in vivo examination in gastric ulcer models induced by ethanol and NSAIDs resulted in a diminished ulcer index, mitigation of mucosal damage, elevated stomach pH, reduced acidity, and maintenance of mucosal architecture.The findings demonstrated significant gastroprotection.Histopathological study indicated that extracts administered groups exhibited reduced epithelium degradation and inflammatory infiltration.These findings underscore the scientific legitimacy of G. latifolia's traditional application in ulcer treatment and its potential as a source of natural antiulcer agents.