The plant kingdom as a source of anti-ulcer remedies

Phytogenic agents have traditionally been used by herbalists and indigenous healers for the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcer. This article rev iews the anti-acid/anti-peptic, gastro-protective and/or anti-ulcer propert ies of the most commonly employed herbal medicines and their identified act ive constituents. Botanical compounds with anti-ulcer activity include flav onoids (i.e. quercetin, naringin, silymarin, anthocyanosides, sophoradin de rivatives) saponins (i.e. from Panax japonicus and Kochia scoparia), tannin s (i.e. from Linderae umbellatae), gums and mucilages (i.e. gum guar and my rrh), Among herbal drugs, liquorice, aloe gel and capsicum (chilli) have be en used extensively and their clinical efficacy documented. Also, ethnomedi cal 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 ant i-ulcer compounds for development as pharmaceutical entities or, alternativ ely, as simple dietary adjuncts to existing therapies. Copyright (C) 2000 J ohn Wiley & Sons, Ltd.