Anti-ulcer activity of NS-EA 51 – A fraction of Nigella sativa seed, in histamine plus pylorus-ligated and hypothermia plus restrain stressed rat models

Abstract

BackgroundIn spite of all recent advancements, the complete cure of gastric ulcer disease has awaited, to be explored. Earlier we reported the potent anti-secretary and anti-ulcer activities of ethanol extract and a fraction of Nigella sativa, seed (NS) in indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers-models. Therefore, anti-ulcer activity of purified fraction of NS (NS-EA 51) in different experimental gastric ulcer-models was evaluated in the present study. MethodsAnti-ulcer activity of NS-EA 51 was evaluated in histamine plus pylorus ligation (PL) and hypothermia-restrained stress, rats (adult male albino; weighing 180–220 g). Changes in the gastric secretion volume, pH, acid-output, pepsin activity, mucus secretion and ulcer indices were observed in histamine plus PL rats. Effects on gastric mucus secretion and ulcer indices were also evaluated in the hypothermic-restrain stressed models. ResultsNS-EA 51 antagonized histaminic effects on gastric juice volume, pH, acid-output, lesion formation and pepsin activities. Fraction also inhibited gastric ulcer formation induced by hypothermic-restrained stress in this study. But it did not show any significant change in the gastric mucus secretion in above models. The anti-ulcer effects of NS-EA 51 found comparable to the Famotidine, a reference anti-ulcer agent. ConclusionNS-EA 51 fraction isolated from NS may prove an effective anti-ulcer tool.