Next Article in Journal
Bovine Mastitis Therapy at a Crossroads: Pharmacokinetic Barriers, Biofilms, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Emerging Solutions
Previous Article in Journal
A New Trichlorinated Xanthone and Compounds Isolated from Cladonia skottsbergii with Antimicrobial Properties
Previous Article in Special Issue
Rebamipide as an Adjunctive Therapy for Gastrointestinal Diseases: An Umbrella Review
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Pharmaceuticals
Volume 19
Issue 1
10.3390/ph19010173
pharmaceuticals-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

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

by
Paola De Cicco
1,†,
Nunzio Antonio Cacciola
2,†,
Rebecca Amico
1,
Barbara Romano
1,
Umberto Di Maio
3,
Natasa Milic
4,
Antonino Bagnulo
3,
Maria Francesca Nanì
1,
Laura Viscovo
2,
Marcello Scivicco
2,
Raffaele Capasso
5,
Ester Pagano
1,* and
Francesca Borrelli
1,*
1
Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
2
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
3
Neilos S.r.l., Via Bagnulo, 95, Piano di Sorrento, 80063 Naples, Italy
4
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
5
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università, 100, 80055 Portici, Italy
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(1), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010173
Submission received: 25 September 2025 / Revised: 15 January 2026 / Accepted: 16 January 2026 / Published: 19 January 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New and Emerging Treatment Strategies for Gastrointestinal Diseases)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

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.
Keywords: gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; antacids; medicinal plants; gastroprotection; pyloric ligation model; gastric ulcers; myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity; gastric emptying; cytoprotective effects gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; antacids; medicinal plants; gastroprotection; pyloric ligation model; gastric ulcers; myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity; gastric emptying; cytoprotective effects
Graphical Abstract

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

De Cicco, P.; Cacciola, N.A.; Amico, R.; Romano, B.; Di Maio, U.; Milic, N.; Bagnulo, A.; Nanì, M.F.; Viscovo, L.; Scivicco, M.; et al. Preclinical Studies on Plant Based-Antacid Formulations as New Therapies for Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease. Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19, 173. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010173

AMA Style

De Cicco P, Cacciola NA, Amico R, Romano B, Di Maio U, Milic N, Bagnulo A, Nanì MF, Viscovo L, Scivicco M, et al. Preclinical Studies on Plant Based-Antacid Formulations as New Therapies for Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease. Pharmaceuticals. 2026; 19(1):173. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010173

Chicago/Turabian Style

De Cicco, Paola, Nunzio Antonio Cacciola, Rebecca Amico, Barbara Romano, Umberto Di Maio, Natasa Milic, Antonino Bagnulo, Maria Francesca Nanì, Laura Viscovo, Marcello Scivicco, and et al. 2026. "Preclinical Studies on Plant Based-Antacid Formulations as New Therapies for Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease" Pharmaceuticals 19, no. 1: 173. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010173

APA Style

De Cicco, P., Cacciola, N. A., Amico, R., Romano, B., Di Maio, U., Milic, N., Bagnulo, A., Nanì, M. F., Viscovo, L., Scivicco, M., Capasso, R., Pagano, E., & Borrelli, F. (2026). Preclinical Studies on Plant Based-Antacid Formulations as New Therapies for Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease. Pharmaceuticals, 19(1), 173. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010173

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop