title: Efficacy and safety of herbal medicines in treating gastric ulcer: a review.
abstract: Gastric ulcer is a common disorder of the digestive system. Current therapeutic regimens largely rely on Western medicine. However, numerous studies have demonstrated that herbal medicines can effectively treat gastric ulcer in humans and various animal models via divergent mechanisms. This review updates the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines in treating gastric ulcer, and the mechanisms of their action in humans and animal models. Studies have demonstrated that the efficacy of herbal medicines is comparable or superior to that of drugs such as omeprazole or cimetidine in humans and animal models, and herbal medicines display fewer adverse effects. The mechanisms by which herbal medicines benefit gastric ulcer include stimulation of mucous cell proliferation, anti-oxidation, and inhibition of gastric acid secretion and H(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity. Some herbal medicines also exhibit antimicrobial properties. Utilization of herbal medicines could be a valuable alternative to treat gastric ulcer in humans effectively, with few adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Wei-Ping Bi, Hui-Bin Man, Department of Internal Medicine, Wendeng Central Hospital, Wendeng 264400, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Ping
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.affiliation: Wei-Ping Bi, Hui-Bin Man, Department of Internal Medicine, Wendeng Central Hospital, Wendeng 264400, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Hui-Bin
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Man
authors.affiliation: Wei-Ping Bi, Hui-Bin Man, Department of Internal Medicine, Wendeng Central Hospital, Wendeng 264400, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Mao-Qiang
authors.initials: MQ
authors.lastname: Man
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D028321:Plant Preparations; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase
keywords: Gastric ulcer; Herbal medicines; Mechanism of action