In vitro Antacid Screening of the Aqueous and Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Ixora Coccinea (Linn). and Mimosa Pudica (Linn.)

Ixora coccinea L. (santan) and Mimosa pudica L. (makahiya) ethanolic and aqueous extracts were screened for their in vitro antacid potentials using the preliminary antacid test, determination of acid neutralization capacity, acid neutralizing effect, duration of consistent neutralization, and buffering capacity. Phytochemical screening and quantification of alkaloids were also done and the alkaloid content was correlated to the in vitro antacid potentials of the extracts. Among the extracts, the M. pudica aqueous extract gave the best preliminary antacid test result (1.0066±0.0083 pH) and acid neutralization capacity (0.0711±0.0038 mmol H+). Its aqueous extract showed comparable acid neutralizing effect (3.507% acid neutralized) on gastric juice with that of its ethanol extract (3.509% acid neutralized). On the other hand, the I. coccinea aqueous extract had the highest acid buffering capacity (0.0701±0.0020 mmol H+/pH). Both aqueous extracts gave the longest duration of neutralization with 9±1.732 minutes. All the extracts were tested positive for flavonoids, indoles, tannins, anthraquinones, anthrones, and alkaloids, with the I. coccinea aqueous extract having the highest alkaloid content (18.0282±1.2607% w alkaloid/w extract). This study provides the first reported proof of the antacid activities of I. coccinea and M. pudica. Further tests, including mouse model assays, are suggested to determine the efficacy of the extracts in vivo.