BACKGROUND: Gastric ulcers (GUs) have a high risk of clinical morbidity and recurrence, and further exploration is needed for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease.
OBJECTIVE: To investigated the effects of a diet plan on pepsinogen (PG) I, PG II, gastrin-17 (G-17) levels and nutritional status in patients with GUs.
METHODS: A total of 100 patients with GUs treated between May 2022 and May 2023 were enrolled, with 47 patients in the control group receiving routine nursing and 53 patients in the experimental group receiving dietary nursing intervention based on a diet plan. The study compared the two groups in terms of nursing efficacy, adverse events (vomiting, acid reflux, and celialgia), time to symptom improvement (burning sensation, acid reflux, and celialgia), gastric function (PG I, PG II, and G-17 levels), and nutritional status [prealbumin (PA) and albumin (ALB) levels].
RESULTS: The experimental group showed a markedly higher total effective rate of nursing, a significantly lower incidence of adverse events, and a shorter time to symptom improvement than the control group. Additionally, the experimental group\'s post-intervention PG I, PG II, and G-17 levels were significantly lower than pre-intervention or control group levels, whereas PA and ALB levels were significantly higher.
CONCLUSIONS: The diet plan significantly reduced PG I, PG II, and G-17 levels in patients with GUs and significantly improved their nutritional status.

Areas of the body accessible to gastric secretions, such as the stomach and duodenum, are most commonly damaged by circumscribed lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract mucosa. Peptic ulcer disease is the term for this illness (PUD). About 80% of peptic ulcers are duodenal ulcers, with stomach ulcers accounting for the remaining 20%. Duodenal ulcers are linked to the two primary results about Helicobacter pylori infection and COX inhibitor users. Additional causes might include drinking, smoking, stress, and coffee consumption. The indications and symptoms of a duodenal ulcer depend on the patient\'s age and the lesion\'s location. For duodenal ulcers, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the usual course of treatment. This comprehensive study included an in-depth literature search in the literature and methods section using electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The search method included publications published from the inception of the relevant database to the present. Inclusion criteria included studies investigating different treatment options for duodenal ulcer disease, including traditional pharmacotherapy and naturopathic treatments. Data mining includes information on treatment techniques, treatment outcomes, and possible synergies between conventional and herbal treatments. In addition, this review critically examines the available information on the effectiveness, safety, and possible side effects of different treatments. The inclusion of conventional and herbal treatments is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the many treatment options available for duodenal ulcer disease. A more comprehensive and personalized treatment plan can be achieved by incorporating dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and, if necessary, herbal therapies to complement other treatments normally.

Gastric ulcers are characterized by damage to the stomach lining and are often triggered by substances such as ethanol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patchouli alcohol (PA) has demonstrated effectiveness in treating gastric ulcers through antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the water insolubility of PA and rapid gastric emptying cause low drug concentration and poor absorption in the stomach, resulting in limited treatment efficacy of PA. This study develops an oral gastroretentive raft forming system (GRFDDS) containing the aminated hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (NH2-HMSN) for PA delivery. The application of NH2-HMSN can enhance PA-loading capacity and water dispersibility, promoting bio-adhesion to the gastric mucosa and sustained drug release. The incorporation of PA-loaded NH2-HMSN (NH2-HMSN-PA) into GRFDDS can facilitate gastric drug retention and achieve long action, thereby improving therapeutic effects. The results reveal that NH2-HMSN-PA protects the gastric mucosa damage by inhibiting NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis. The GRFDDS, optimized through orthogonal design, demonstrates the gastric retention capacity and sustained drug release, exhibiting significant therapy efficacy in an ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcers model and an aspirin-induced chronic gastric ulcers model through antioxidation, anti-pyroptosis, and anti-inflammation. This study provides a potential strategy for enhancing druggability of insoluble natural compounds and therapeutic management of gastric ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Numerous medicinal plants have been used traditionally in South Africa for gastric ulcer treatment. Helicobacter pylori is known for causing inflammation and the onset of gastric ulcers. While several studies explored medicinal plants against H. pylori, investigation of medicinal plants used for gastric ulcers has been neglected, as well as the effects these plants would have on bacteria occurring naturally in the gut microbiome.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate Southern African medicinal plants used traditionally for treating gastric ulcers against H. pylori , as well as the effects that these plants have when combined with Lactobacillus species and tested against H. pylori.
METHODS: Based on evidence from the ethnobotanical literature, 21 plants were collected. Their antimicrobial activity was assessed against five clinical H. pylori strains, and in combination with each of three Lactobacillus species, using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) broth microdilution assays. Toxicity was assessed using the brine shrimp lethality assay.
RESULTS: Noteworthy activity was observed against at least one H. pylori strain for 12 plant species. The lowest mean MICs were from organic extracts of Carissa edulis Vahl (0.18 mg/mL) and Chironia baccifera L. (0.20 mg/mL), and aqueous extracts of Sansevieria hyacinthoides (L.) Druce (0.26 mg/mL) and Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. (0.30 mg/mL). Aqueous extracts of the investigated plants were combined with Lactobacillus species, and the majority of combinations showed increased antimicrobial activity compared with the extracts alone. Combinations of Lactobacillus rhamnosus with 18 of the 21 aqueous plant extracts showed at least a two-fold decrease in the mean MBC against all H. pylori strains tested. Lactobacillus acidophilus combined with either Protea repens L., Carpobrotus edulis (L.) L. Bolus or Warburgia salutaris (Bertol.f.) Chiov. aqueous extracts had the best anti-H. pylori activity (mean MBCs of 0.10 mg/mL for each combination). Only four organic and one aqueous extract(s) were considered toxic.
CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the potential of medicinal plants to inhibit H. pylori growth and their role in traditional treatments for the management of ulcers. The results also indicate that aqueous extracts of these plants do not hinder the growth of bacteria that occur naturally in the gut microbiome and play a role in maintaining gut health, as well as show the potential benefit of including Lactobacillus species as potentiators of H. pylori activity.

Gastric ulcer, a significant health issue characterized by the degradation of the gastric mucosa, often arises from excessive gastric acid secretion and poses a challenge in current medical treatments due to the limited efficacy and side effects of first-line drugs. Addressing this, our study develops a novel therapeutic strategy leveraging gas therapy, specifically targeting the release of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the treatment of gastric ulcers. We successfully developed a composite nanoparticle, named BSA·SH-DATS, through a two-step process. Initially, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was sulfhydrated to generate BSA·SH nanoparticles via a mercaptosylation method. Subsequently, these nanoparticles were further functionalized by incorporating diallyltrisulfide (DATS) through a precise Michael addition reaction. This sequential modification resulted in the creation of BSA·SH-DATS nanoparticles. Our comprehensive in vitro and in vivo investigations demonstrate that these nanoparticles possess an exceptional ability for site-specific action on gastric mucosal cells under the controlled release of H2S in response to endogenous glutathione (GSH), markedly diminishing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby alleviating inflammation and apoptosis. Moreover, the BSA·SH-DATS nanoparticles effectively regulate critical inflammatory proteins, including NF-κB and Caspase-3. Our study underscores their potential as a transformative approach for gastric ulcer treatment.

BACKGROUND: The annual incidence of peptic ulcer disease is estimated to be four million cases worldwide, with an average lifetime risk of 7.5% in individuals of all ages. Polymer nanocomposites have novel prospects in the field of modern medicine.
OBJECTIVE: The present research endeavors to assess the therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles composed of silver/chitosan, silver/saponin, and chitosan/saponin against gastric ulcers induced by ethanol in Wistar rats.
METHODS: Forty-eight rats were randomly split into eight groups of the same size. Oral ethanol (5 ml/kg of body weight) was given to all rat groups except the control one for 1 hour before treatment. Control and ulcer groups of rats were given distilled water orally. The rats in the other groups were given orally 1/10 LD50 of each treatment as follows: AgNPs, chitosan NPs, Saponin, AgNPs-Chitosan NPs, AgNP-Saponin, and chitosan-Saponin NPs.
RESULTS: NP-treated groups showed a significant increase in the gastric juice pH, glutathione reduced, catalase, and nitric oxide while gastric juice volume, ulcer index, and malondialdehyde levels decreased compared with the ulcer group. Histopathological investigation of stomach showed improvement in NPs groups specially in the chitosan-Saponin NPs group.
CONCLUSIONS: The current study revealed that silver-chitosan, silver-saponin and chitosansaponin nanocomposites effectively treat gastric ulcers. Chitosan-Saponin nanoparticles showed high therapeutic effectiveness against gastric ulcer in rats.

BACKGROUND: Catharanthus roseus, a Madagascar native flowering plant, is known for its glossy leaves and vibrant flowers, and its medicinal significance due to its alkaloid compounds. As a source of vinblastine and vincristine used in chemotherapy, Catharanthus roseus is also employed in traditional medicine with its flower and stalks in dried form. Its toxicity can lead to various adverse effects. We report a case of Catharanthus roseus juice toxicity presenting as acute cholangitis, emphasizing the importance of healthcare providers obtaining detailed herbal supplement histories.
METHODS: A 65-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain, fever, anorexia, and lower limb numbness. Initial diagnosis of acute cholangitis was considered, but imaging excluded common bile duct stones. Further investigation revealed a history of ingesting Catharanthus roseus juice for neck pain. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis, elevated liver enzymes, and hyperbilirubinemia. The patient developed gastric ulcers, possibly due to alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus. No bacterial growth was noted in blood cultures. The patient recovered after discontinuing the herbal extract.
CONCLUSIONS: Catharanthus roseus toxicity can manifest as fever, hepatotoxicity with cholestatic jaundice, and gastric ulcers, mimicking acute cholangitis. Awareness of herbal supplement use and potential toxicities is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure prompt diagnosis and appropriate management. This case emphasizes the need for public awareness regarding the possible toxicity of therapeutic herbs and the importance of comprehensive patient histories in healthcare settings.

UNASSIGNED: Obesity leads to an elevated risk of developing gastrointestinal disease such as gastric ulcers. Callistemon citrinus leaf extract has shown antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and chemoprotective effects against colon cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the gastroprotective effect of C. citrinus leaf extract on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in obese rats.
UNASSIGNED: Gastric ulcers were induced in female obese Wistar rats using a single oral dose of indomethacin (IND). In the first stage, the rats were fed with a high fat sugar diet (HFSD) for 15 weeks to induce obesity and, at the same time, the diet of the other group of animals included daily administration of ethanolic C. citrinus leaf extract (250 mg/kg) in addition to HFSD. In the second stage, gastric ulcers were induced with IND (30 mg/kg). The gastroprotective activity of C. citrinus, the inflammatory enzyme activities, and cytokines in the stomach were determined.
UNASSIGNED: C. citrinus produced a reduction of gastric lesions caused by IND. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) activities also decreased. Although inflammatory biomarkers such as TNFα, IL-6, AOPP, and leptin were significantly decreased by C. citrinus, adiponectin levels increased. Moreover, C. citrinus decreased weight gain and morphological and biochemical parameters.
UNASSIGNED: The use of indomethacin in rats fed with a high fat-sugar diet increased gastric ulcers. Gastroprotective effect of C. citrinus in obese rats is attributed to the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the inflammatory enzymes.

BACKGROUND: The complex aetiology of gastric lesions in pigs remains largely unknown and effective preventive measures and pharmaceutical treatment of the disease have not been developed yet. Regardless of the fact that the overwhelming majority of previous research works dealing with gastric ulceration in pigs focused on the role of the nutritional determinants, including chemical composition of feeds, cereal type, finely ground pelleted diets, and feed additives, conclusions presented therein remain highly ambiguous. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the disease on production performance, and investigate the influence of selected non-dietary risk factors on the prevalence of gastric alterations in finishing pigs reared under conditions of 11 modern farms located in Poland.
RESULTS: A total number of 26,043 finishing pigs was examined. 15,228 (58.47%) had gastric ulcers. Intact stomachs were detected in 6176 animals (23.71%). Parakeratosis and erosion were observed in 2551 (9.80%) and 2088 (8.02%), respectively. Among eight continuous variables two were found to be significantly associated with prevalence of the gastric ulcer: the growing number of animals in the herd, which was negatively correlated (P = 0.002; ρ = -0.37), and the growing average entry weight of animals transported to the finisher farm (P = 0.047; ρ = 0.24), which increased the risk of gastric ulcers prevalence. Among 12 nominal variables, problems with the quality of farm management (P = 0.041), and usage of straw as a bedding material (P = 0.002) were identified as determinants significantly associated with occurrence of the analysed health problem.
CONCLUSIONS: Among 20 non-nutritional variables analysed in our study only few factors were found to be associated with the prevalence of the disease. The impact of broadly understood management issues on gastric health in finishing pigs deserves further research.

Type V gastric ulcer is an unusual etiology of gastrosplenic fistula (GSF). Prompt diagnosis and early embolization of splenic vessels prior to esophagogastroduodenoscopy and surgical resection is crucial.