Comparative Antioxidant and Antiulcer Potential of In-house and Marketed Polyherbal Formulation

The prime objective of the present research was to assess the antioxidant and comparative anti-ulcer potential of a gastroretentive polyherbal formulation with a conventional oral marketed formulation. The antioxidant capacity was estimated by 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods. For the assessment of comparative anti-ulcer potential, the aspirin-induced rat ulcer model was utilized. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) studies were performed to study the effect on pro- and anti-inflammatory markers. ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging capacity signified the antioxidant activity of the formulation. Evaluation parameters such as pH of the gastric content, total and free acidity, ulcer index, and histopathological changes were studied in the aspirin-induced anti-ulcer activity. The study’s outcomes reveal the significant anti-ulcer potential of the in-house gastro-retentive polyherbal formulation and marketed formulation as indicated by the reduction in ulcer index, free and total acidity. The results of the histopathological investigation further strengthened the anti-ulcer potential. Moreover, pre-treatment with gastro-retentive formulation decreased the ulcer index to a greater degree than the conventional marketed formulation. The results conclude that the antioxidant, antisecretory, cytoprotective, and anti-inflammatory actions might be responsible for the anti-ulcer activity. Further, the gastro-retentive formulation has an improved potential in treating ulcers over conventional oral formulations.