Withania coagulans fruit extract antiulcerogenic effect: Comparative study with Lansoprazole and Ranitidine in rats

Naheed Amir¹Hassan Abu Damir²Karam Ghazal Aswad²Mohamed Hassan²Mukhtar Adem³Mahmoud Alhaj Ali^2*Salim M. A. Bastaki⁴Ernest A Adeghate⁴Abdu Adem^2*

• ¹Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
• ²Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• ³University of North Carolina System, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
• ⁴College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, AlAin, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) arises from an imbalance between harmful factors like gastric acid and pepsin, and the protective mechanisms of the gastrointestinal lining, particularly the mucusbicarbonate barrier. Standard treatments include proton pump inhibitors (e.g., lansoprazole) and histamine H₂-receptor antagonists (e.g., ranitidine), but these can have adverse effects. Withania coagulans, a plant used in Ayurvedic medicine, has traditionally been considered to have anti-ulcer properties. This study investigated the potential of W. coagulans fruit extract to protect against gastric ulcers, possibly via H₂ receptor antagonism.To evaluate the gastroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of Withania coagulans fruit extract in a rat model of gastric ulcer.A dose-response study was conducted using rats divided into six groups: naïve, ulcer control, and four groups treated with W. coagulans extract (1, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg). Acidified ethanol was used to induce ulcers. In another experiment, pylorus-ligated rats were used to assess the extract's effect on gastric acid secretion in response to dimaprit, a histamine analogue. For efficacy comparison, rats were pretreated with W. coagulans, lansoprazole, or ranitidine before ulcer induction. Gastric tissues were analyzed for biochemical markers, including cytokines, mucus, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and myeloperoxidase activity.The 10 mg/kg dose was most effective in reducing gastric ulceration. The extract reduced gastric acid secretion, like H₂ blockers. It also showed stronger antioxidant activity in gastric tissues compared to lansoprazole and ranitidine. Additionally, it reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6), increased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGF-β), enhanced mucus and PGE2 production, and lowered myeloperoxidase activity.Withania coagulans fruit extract at 10 mg/kg significantly protects against acid-induced gastric ulcers. Its effects are comparable to H₂ receptor blockers and include notable antioxidant and antiinflammatory benefits.