Gastroprotective effect of Nigella sativa seed on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats
Background: Peptic ulcer is a gastrointestinal disease characterized by mucosal damage. The study is aimed at evaluating the gastroprotective effect of Nigella sativa seed extract in rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty rats were divided into four groups of five rats each and were fasted for 18 h. Rats in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were pretreated with normal saline, gestid, and N. sativa extract at 320 mg/kg and 640 mg/kg, respectively, 30 min before administration of 80% ethanol. All the rats were sacrificed after 1 h and the stomachs were cut open. The stomachs were examined for macroscopic lesions and processed for light microscopic study. Results: There was a significant decrease in ulcer index of rats pretreated with gestid suspension, 320 and 640 mg/kg of N. sativa extract as compared to those of rats pretreated with normal saline at P < 0.05. The stomach of rats pretreated with normal saline showed mucosa full of lesions, those of rats pretreated with gestid suspension showed very few vascular congestion, while those of rats pretreated with 640 mg/kg of N. sativa showed few vascular congestion. Photomicrograph of the stomach of rats pretreated with normal saline showed vacuolation of basement epithelium while those of rats pretreated with gestid suspension and N. sativa extract showed normal basement epithelium. Conclusion: N. sativa seed extract was able to protect the stomach mucosa from gastric ulceration.