Flavonoid-Enriched Lagenaria siceraria as a Natural Anti-Ulcer Agent: Comparative Acid-Neutralizing Capacity and H⁺/K⁺-ATPase Docking Studies

Abstract

Background: Although the bottle gourd, Lagenaria siceraria, has long been praised for its gastroprotective qualities, there are still few systematic studies on its potential to prevent ulcers. Objectives: In order to determine the effectiveness of L. siceraria's bioactive flavonoids as a natural anti-ulcer agent, this study examined their physicochemical characteristics, phytochemical profile, in vitro acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC), and in silico molecular docking.

Methods: Fresh juice was made, and its pH, specific gravity, moisture content, and ash value were measured. To find the main metabolites, a preliminary screening of phytochemicals was conducted. By titrating against 1 N HCl and using magnesium trisilicate as a reference, ANC was ascertained. Pantoprazole was used as a standard ligand in the molecular docking of isoorientin and isovitexin with gastric H⁺/K⁺-ATPase using CB-Dock2 linked with AutoDock Vina.

Results: The juice's favourable physicochemical stability was indicated by its pH of 6.1, specific gravity of 1.016 g/cm³, moisture content of 1.94%, and total ash content of 4%. Triterpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and sugars were all verified by phytochemical screening. L. siceraria juice (3.8 ml) had an ANC value that was similar to that of magnesium trisilicate (4.5 ml). With H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, docking study showed that isoorientin (–9.1 kcal/mol) and isovitexin (–8.5 kcal/mol) had substantial binding affinities that were higher than those of pantoprazole (–7.7 kcal/mol).

Conclusion: L. siceraria is a promising gastroprotective candidate that works by neutralizing acids and inhibiting proton pumps, according to these studies. Additional in vivo and clinical research is necessary to validate the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.