ABSTRACT
Phytogenic agents have traditionally been used by herbalists and indigenous healers for the prevention and treatment of
peptic ulcer
. Botanical compounds with antiulcer activity include
flavonoids
(i.e., quercetin, naringin, silymarin, anthocyanosides, sophoradin derivatives), saponins (i.e., from
Panax japonicus
and
Kochia scoparia
),
tannins
(i.e., from
Linderae umbellatae
), and
gums
and mucilages (i.e., gum guar and myrrh). Among herbal drugs,
licorice
,
aloe
gel
, and
capsicum
(chili) have been used extensively and their clinical efficacy documented. Also, ethnomedical systems employ several plant extracts for the treatment of peptic ulcer. Despite progress in conventional chemistry and pharmacology in producing effective drugs, the plant kingdom might provide a useful source of new antiulcer compounds for development as pharmaceutical entities or, alternatively, as simple dietary adjuncts to existing therapies (Borrelli and Izzo, 2000).
