An Integrative Omics and Network Pharmacology Approach to Evaluate the Antiulcer Activity of Bombax ceiba L. Gum in Rats

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Stanley

Gastric ulcers are a common gastrointestinal disorder. Bombax ceiba gum was traditionally used for ulcers, and this study assessed its antiulcerogenic potential in rats with experimentally induced gastric ulcers. Oral dosing reduced gastric juice volume, free and total acidity, ulcer index, and increased gastric pH. LC−MS/MS metabolomics identified alkaloids, flavonoids, and glycosides. Network pharmacology mapped metabolite-associated human targets, followed by docking showing strong interactions with EGFR, SRC, COX2, and MMPs, supporting gastroprotective efficacy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Results

Acute Toxicity Studies

Evaluation of Antiulcer Activity Using In Vivo Models

Pylorus Ligation-Induced Ulcer Model

This article is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 [http://pubs.acs.org/journal/acsodf](http://pubs.acs.org/journal/acsodf) Article An Integrative Omics and Network Pharmacology Approach to Evaluate the Antiulcer Activity of Bombax ceiba L. Gum in Rats Shubham Sukerndeo Upadhyay, Sakshi Sanjay Parate, Ullas Prakash D’Souza, Anit Tresa Kurian, Shivaleela Biradar, Gowrish S Bhat, * Vandana Sadananda, * and Thottethodi Subrahmanya Keshava Prasad * Cite This: ACS Omega 2025, 10, 59044−59055 Read Online | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ACCESS | Metrics & More | | Article Recommendations | | *sı Supporting Information | ABSTRACT: Gastric ulcers are the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorder. Bombax ceiba Linn. has been traditionally used for the treatment of gastric ulcers and other intestinal complications. This study aimed to evaluate the gastric antiulcerogenic potential of the B. ceiba gum. The gum was tested orally in rats with experimentally induced gastric ulcers. The gum demonstrated antiulcer activity by reducing the gastric juice volume, free and total acidity, ulcer index, and increasing gastric pH. LC−MS/ MS-based global metabolomics revealed a variety of alkaloids, flavonoids, and glycosides, among others, in the B. ceiba gum. Network pharmacology was employed to identify the human protein targets for the B. ceiba gum metabolites. Further, the target proteins were docked against the B. ceiba gum phytoconstituents. Proteins such as EGFR, SRC, COX2, and MMPs, known for their involvement in gastric ulcer healing, demonstrated tight interactions with the phytoconstituents of B. ceiba gum. The B. ceiba gum was found to possess potent gastroprotective properties, and the results supported the use of the gum of this plant in the treatment of gastric ulcers. ■ INTRODUCTION Peptic ulcer disease is a group of disorders characterized by the presence of ulcers in any part of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) exposed to acid in sufficient concentration and period. This disease also includes Barrett’s ulcer of the esophagus and other upper gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers; even though these lesions usually happen in the stomach (gastric ulcer), or the small intestine (duodenal ulcer).1 The ulcers that form in parts of the GIT, which are exposed to the acidic gastric juice, are called peptic ulcers.2,3 The drugs used in the treatment of ulcers are directed at either counteracting aggressive factors [acid, pepsin, active oxidants, platelet activating factor, leukotrienes, endothelins, bile, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)] or stimulating the mucosal defenses (mucus, bicarbonate, normal blood flow, prostaglandins, nitric oxide) . These include proton pump inhibitors, receptor blockers, drugs affecting the mucosal barrier, and those acting on the central nervous system (CNS). Even though a variety of drugs are available for the treatment of ulcers, many of them do not satisfy all the requirements and exhibit several adverse effects. Bombax ceiba Linn. (B. ceiba), commonly known as the silk cotton tree, belongs to the family Malvaceae. From the information available in the Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry and Therapeutics (IMPPAT) database, different parts of this plant such as flower, fruit, root, leaves, bark, and seed have been explored in various conditions including diabetes, pain, wound healing, colitis, diarrhea, inflammation, ulcer, and so on.4 Traditionally, the gum of the B. ceiba has been associated with the treatment of ulcers and inflammatory bowel diseases.5 The extract of B. ceiba was also found to possess strong anti-Helicobacter pylori activity.6 Although B. ceiba has been shown to be involved as a demulcent,5 there are limited experimental data available about the gastroprotective, anti-ulcerogenic activity of B. ceiba gum and its mechanism of action. This study investigates the antiulcer activity of B. ceiba gum against pylorus ligation and e

FAQs

What was the main goal of this research on Bombax ceiba gum?

To evaluate the antiulcerogenic and gastroprotective potential of Bombax ceiba gum in rats with experimentally induced gastric ulcers, and to explore its underlying mechanism.

How was the antiulcer activity of the gum measured in vivo?

Rats received oral gum at different doses, and researchers assessed gastric volume, pH, free acidity, total acidity, and ulcer index.

What analytical approaches were used to investigate the mechanism of action?

Global metabolomics using LC−MS/MS identified phytochemical constituents, and network pharmacology was used to predict human protein targets, followed by molecular docking of targets with gum constituents.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Stanley