Preclinical Studies on Plant Based-Antacid Formulations as New Therapies for Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease.

Authors

Paola De Cicco, Nunzio Antonio Cacciola, Rebecca Amico, Barbara Romano, Umberto Di Maio, Natasa Milic, Antonino Bagnulo, Maria Francesca Nanì, Laura Viscovo, Marcello Scivicco, Raffaele Capasso, Ester Pagano, Francesca Borrelli

Published in

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). Volume 19. Issue 1. Jan 19, 2026. Epub Jan 19, 2026.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refers to a disease in which stomach acid rises into the oesophagus. Currently, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most commonly used medications to treat GERD. However, long-term use of PPIs is not free from side effects, and new treatment strategies are needed. The present study was conducted to evaluate the gastroprotective potential of four different formulations containing both antiacids and medicinal plants considered useful for the treatment of GERD. Methods: The protective effects of the formulations on gastric ulcers in pyloric ligation-induced gastric mucosal lesions in mice were evaluated by measuring gastric emptying, the ulcer index, gastric content, total acidity, and the pH of the gastric fluid. Gastric damage was also assessed by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Results: Formulations containing Glycyrrhiza glabra L. or Glycyrrhiza glabra L. plus Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. and Olea europaea L. (formulations 3 and 4, respectively) increased gastric emptying. All formulations decreased gastro-oesophageal damage (ulceration and MPO activity) and gastric contents and had no effects on total acidity or gastric fluid pH in the pyloric ligation ulcer model. Conclusions: Our results show that all formulations are able to exert cytoprotective and anti-ulcerative effects. However, among the formulations, formulation 4 seems to be the most promising because of its better effects on gastric injury and gastric emptying. These results support the hypothesis of the possible use of medicinal plants in combination with antacid agents in the treatment of GERD.

PMID:
41599771
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 11 Mar 2026.

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