ABSTRACT
A wide spread search has been launched to identify new anti-ulcer therapies from natural sources, with minimal side effects. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of Nigella sativaseed oil and zinc gluconate on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage and secretion in Wistar rats. A total of 50 male rats, weighing between 150-200g were used for the study. The animals were then sub-divided into two sub-groups of 25 rats each for gastric mucosal damage and gastric secretion studies respectively. Each of the sub-groups were divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each and treated with distilled water (10ml/kg), absoluteethanol (1ml/kg),Nigella sativa oil (5ml/kg), zinc gluconate (50mg/kg) and zinc gluconate (50mg/kg) plus Nigella sativa oil (5ml/kg) respectively. The phythochemical screening of the Nigella sativa oil revealed the presence of carbohydrate, unsaturated steroids, triterpenes, cardiac glycoside and flavonoids. The results of the study revealed the normal architecture of gastric mucosa for the control group with ulcer index of 0.0 Â� 0.0 mm. The ethanol-treated group showed severe necrosis-of gastric epithelium,with ulcer index of 10.25Â� 0.85 mmas compared to the control. The Nigella sativa oil, zinc gluconate and Nigella sativa plus zinc gluconate treated groups have demonstrated significant decrease in the ulcer indices of 5.50 Â� 1.04 mm, 4.75 Â� 0.25mm and 3.75 Â� 1.44mm respectively as compared to the control with 0.0 Â� 0.0 mm. On the other hand the groups also showed preventive indices of 48.8%, 53.6% and 63.4% respectively when compared to those of the control 100% and ethanol treated group with no protectionWith regard to gastric juice secretion, the ethanol-treated group showed an increase in the volume of gastric juice of 1.10 Â� 0.51 ml/3h, titratible acidity of 55.00 Â� 19.62mEq and mean acid output of 91.30 Â� 62.31μEq/h, zinc gluconate treated showed a slight increase in volume of gastric juice of 0.82 Â� 0.15ml/3h,titritable acidity of 41.00 Â� 7.65 mEq/l and mean acid output of 38.30 Â� 15.25 μEq/h when compared to control groupwith volume of gastric juice of 0.72 Â� 0.08ml/3h, titritable acidity of 36.00Â�4.30 and mean acid output of 27.40 Â� 6.52 μEq/h. With regard to Nigella sativa oil treated group,Nigella sativa oil plus zinc gluconate treated groups demonstrated a decrease in the volume of gastric juice of 0.56 Â� 9.17 ml/3h, titritable acidity of28.00 Â� 8.68 mEq/l and acid output of21.50 Â� 12.85μEq/h. In conclusion,Nigella sativa and zinc gluconate conferred protection to gastric mucosa but the combination of the two produced an additive.