Mechanistic Insights into the Therapeutic Potential of Phytochemicals Against Stress-Induced Gastric Ulcer.

Gastric ulcers remain a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder aggravated by physical and psychological stress, which disrupts the balance between mucosal defense and aggressive factors. Conventional treatments, though effective, often produce adverse effects and recurrence. This review consolidates the mechanistic insights into phytochemicals, particularly flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and saponins that exert anti-ulcer effects through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective pathways. Emphasis is placed on their roles in modulating prostaglandin synthesis, nitric oxide signaling, cytokine expression, and H⁺/K⁺-ATPase inhibition. Furthermore, recent experimental evidence from stress-induced gastric ulcer models (WIRS, CRS, HRS) is summarized to correlate specific phytochemical classes with protective outcomes. The review underscores phytomedicines as promising, safer alternatives for managing stress-induced gastric ulcers and encourages future standardization and molecular validation studies.