An Integrative Omics and Network Pharmacology Approach to Evaluate the Antiulcer Activity of Bombax ceiba L. Gum in Rats.

Gastric ulcers are the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorder. Bombax ceiba Linn. has been traditionally used for the treatment of gastric ulcers and other intestinal complications. This study aimed to evaluate the gastric antiulcerogenic potential of the B. ceiba gum. The gum was tested orally in rats with experimentally induced gastric ulcers. The gum demonstrated antiulcer activity by reducing the gastric juice volume, free and total acidity, ulcer index, and increasing gastric pH. LC-MS/MS-based global metabolomics revealed a variety of alkaloids, flavonoids, and glycosides, among others, in the B. ceiba gum. Network pharmacology was employed to identify the human protein targets for the B. ceiba gum metabolites. Further, the target proteins were docked against the B. ceiba gum phytoconstituents. Proteins such as EGFR, SRC, COX2, and MMPs, known for their involvement in gastric ulcer healing, demonstrated tight interactions with the phytoconstituents of B. ceiba gum. The B. ceiba gum was found to possess potent gastroprotective properties, and the results supported the use of the gum of this plant in the treatment of gastric ulcers.