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Abstract
The present work was done to investigate the possible effects of Nigella sativa oil
(NSO) on gastric secretion and ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. Thirty two adult male
rats were used in this study (four groups) and several parameters were determined
to assess any degree of protection. It was found that the administration of NSO in
rats produced a significant increase in mucin content and glutathione level and a
significant decrease in mucosal histamine content. Ethanol administration produced
a 100% ulcer induction with an ulcer score of 12.62+/-1.35 (mean+/-S.E., n=8). It
caused a significant reduction in free acidity and glutathione level while it produced
a significant increase in mucosal histamine content. When animals were pretreated
with NSO before induction of ulcer, there was a significant increase in glutathione
level, mucin content and free acidity and a significant decrease in gastric mucosal
histamine content with a protection ratio of 53.56% as compared to the ethanol group.
It can be concluded that NSO imparted a protective action against ethanol induced
ulcer in rats.