Study on treating ethanol-induced gastric lesions with omeprazole, Nigella sativa oil, or both

Abstract

Ethanol is among the many factors increasing the risk of gastric ulcer formation such as stress, use of steroids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This study was conducted to determine the role of reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis of ethanol-induced gastric lesions and its treatment with omeprazole, corn oil, Nigella sativa oil, and combinations thereof. Rats were divided into: Group (I): 20 rats were divided into two equal subgroups as follows: Group (Ia): l mL saline orally daily for 5 days, serving as control group. Group (Ib): 1 mL 50% ethanol, then 10% ethanol in water for 5 days (ethanol group). Group (II): l mL saline orally daily for 2 weeks and served as control group. Group (III): 1 mL 50% ethanol by gavage, then 10% ethanol in water for 5 days (ethanol group) and left for 2 weeks (withdrawn the alcohol). Group (IV): ethanol by the same dose and concentration as ethanol group, then omeprazole (30 mg/kg body weight/day orally for 2 weeks). Group (V): ethanol by the same dose and concentration as ethanol group, then corn oil (2 mL/kg/day orally for 2 weeks). Group (VI): ethanol by the same dose and concentration as ethanol group, then N. sativa oil orally in a dose of 0.88 mL/kg/day orally for 2 weeks. Group (VII): ethanol by the same dose and concentration as ethanol group then combination of corn oil and omeprazole by the same dose orally. Group (VIII): ethanol by the same dose and concentration as ethanol group, then combination of N. sativa oil and omeprazole orally (Such details should not appear in the abstract, only general description). The following parameters were monitored: acid secretory parameters, gastric mucosal histamine, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl groups, reduced glutathione, and antioxidant enzymes, i.e., glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and histopathological examination. The ethanol group showed significant increase in gastric volume, histamine content, free acidity, malondialdehyde, and carbonyl content and showed significant reduction in mucin, glutathione, and antioxidant enzymes. These biochemical data were confirmed by the changes observed by histopathological examination. Combined treatments with omeprazole plus N. sativa oil improve significantly all parameters studied. The data suggest that administration of N. sativa oil along with omeprazole may be beneficial for treatment of gastric lesions induced by ethanol.