Experimental evaluation of anti-ulcer potential of Nigella sativa oil in gastric ulcers in Albino rats

Abstract

Introduction andObjective. Peptic ulcer is a gastrointestinal disease that is characterized by mucosal damage. Nigella sativa (NS) is a medicinal plant increasingly used in practice for treating gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antiulcer potential of Nigella sativa oil in Albino rats. Materials and method. The study utilized two methods of gastric ulcer induction in Albino rats. The Aspirin-induced gastric ulcer method consisted of 3 groups, with 6 rats in each group, which received pre-treatment once a day orally for 5 days. Group-1 (Control) animals received distilled water. Group-2 (Standard) animals received the standard drug, Ranitidine. Group-3 (Expermintal) animals received the test drug -Nigella sativa oil. The forced swim induced acute gastric ulceration method consisted of 3 groups i.e., control, standard, and test group with 6 rats in each group. After 5 days of respective pre-treatment, the animals were subject to a forced swim test. On day 7, 4 hours after Aspirin ingestion, the animals were sacrificed by stunning. The stomachs of the sacrificed animals was dissected for ulcer scoring. Results. In the Aspirin-induced ulcer method, the percentage protection from ulcer formation was 47.5% in the Nigella sativa group and 52.9% in the standard group. The effect of Nigella sativa oil in comparison to control was statistically significant (p value=0.03). In the forced swim induced acute gastric ulceration method, the percentage protection offered by Nigella sativa oil was 73%, whereas it was 69.6% in the Ranitidine group, and the effect of Nigella sativa oil in comparison to the effect of control was statistically significant (p value=0.03). Conclusions. The study demonstrated that NS oil has significant anti-ulcer potential in rats, which is comparable to the standard drug.