1Research Scholar, PG & Research Department of Microbiology, Sadakathullah Appa College (Autonomous), Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Rahmath Nagar, Tirunelveli-627011, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
2HOD & Assistant Professor, PG & Research Department of Microbiology, Sadakathullah Appa College (Autonomous), Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Rahmath Nagar, Tirunelveli-627011, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
*Corresponding author: Revathy Leena Ravi, Research Scholar, PG & Research Department of Microbiology, Sadakathullah Appa College (Autonomous), Rahmath Nagar, Tirunelveli-627011, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India. Email: revathyravi3363@sadakath.ac.in
Received: 16th Dec, 2025; Revised: 8th Feb 2026; Accepted: 12th Feb, 2026; Available Online: 28th Feb, 2026
The peptic ulcer is a common gastrointestinal ailment that is caused by excessive gastric acid secretion or a weakened gastric mucosal barrier. Alpinia calcarata, a medicinal plant long used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, contains a variety of bioactive phytochemicals with potential gastroprotective properties. This study primarily examined the in vitro anti-ulcer activity of the ethanolic extract of Alpinia calcarata and assessed the in vitro anti-ulcer activity of ginger extract using three approaches: acid neutralization in simulated gastric fluid, inhibition of H⁺/K⁺-ATPase enzyme activity, and neutralizing capacity against artificial gastric acid. The extract's acid-neutralizing effect was evaluated by measuring pH changes after adding varying concentrations of the extract to artificial gastric fluid. Acid-neutralizing capacity was determined by titrating excess HCl with sodium hydroxide after treatment with various extract concentrations (100–1500 mg/mL), and the results were compared with those of standard antacids (magnesium and aluminum hydroxide). For proton pump inhibition, the H⁺/K⁺-ATPase enzyme was isolated from the gastric mucosa of a goat, and inhibition was determined spectrophotometrically by the Fiske-Subbarow method. Omeprazole was used as the standard. The ginger extract showed significant pH-neutralizing capacity, and its AN activity was concentration-dependent. At higher concentrations, the ginger extract was highly effective, similar to the standard antacids. The inhibition of the H⁺/K⁺-ATPase enzyme ranged from 37.32% to 75.20% at varying concentrations, and showed the highest inhibition close to Omeprazole (88.28%). The ginger extract has dominant in vitro anti-ulcer activity by both acid neutralization and proton pump inhibition, and all the results support its traditional use and suggest its potential as a natural anti-ulcer agent. Furthermore, in vivo and clinical studies are recommended to validate its safety and treatment effectiveness.
Keywords: Alpinia calcarata, Artificial Gastric Acid, Acid Neutralization, Anti-Ulcer activity, H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, Ethanolic Extract
How to cite this article: Ravi RL, Rani RJ, In Vitro Study of Anti-Ulcer Activity of Alpinia calcarata with Ethanol Extract. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026; 16(2): 483-488; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.2.54
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None