Phytochemical Analysis and Assessment of Antioxidant and Anti-Gastric Ulcer Effects of Prosopis farcta in an Ethanol-Induced Ulcer Model

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq

Abstract

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a common digestive tract disorder with a global impact. Conventional treatments such as Pods of Prosopis farcta (Banks & Sol.) J.F.Macbr.are widely used by Kurdistan residents. This study aimed to evaluate the antiulcer efficacy of its fruit pod extract in an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. The low extract yield was obtained by ultrasonic-assisted extraction using 80% ethanol. Phytochemical analysis identified alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, and cardiac glycosides. The low extract yield was obtained by ultrasonic-assisted extraction using 80% ethanol. The quantitative analysis identified a rich phenolic content (40.80 ± 0.78 µg/mg), tannins (31.59 ± 0.55 µg/mg), and flavonoids (8.52 ± 1.18 µg/mg). The extract had adequate antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 74.94 ± 0.22µg/ml). HPLC analysis validated ten phenolic compounds, with caffeic acid (114.8 µg/ml), kaempferol (92.6 µg/ml), and catechin (81.4 µg/ml) being the most abundant. The acute toxicity evaluation demonstrated no toxic effects at doses up to 2000 mg/kg. In vivo, animal studies also revealed good antiulcer activity at both low (250 mg/kg) and high (500 mg/kg) doses paralleled the effectiveness of esomeprazole, with comparable improvements in ulcer healing parameters. Treatment resulted in measurable gastroprotective effects, increased intragastric pH, and reduced overall acidity parameters. Safety assessments also showed no harmful effects on the liver and kidney functions or the lipid profiles. Hence, the present study advocates that P. farcta fruit pod extract is a safe and efficient natural product for managing peptic ulcers.

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Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Medicinal plants and By-products
Volume 15, Issue 1
January and February 2026
Pages 27-35

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