Research ArticleThe protective effect of thymoquinone on ethanol-induced acute gastric damage in the rat
Introduction
Thymoquinone (TQ) (2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone) is the major component of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds. The black seed of N sativa Linn, family Ranunculaceae, contains a fixed oil (>30%) and a volatile oil (0.40%-0.45%), which consists of 18.4% to 24% TQ [1]. Previous studies suggest that TQ or N sativa oil might have a variety of pharmacological actions such as antihistaminic [2], antibacterial [3], antihypertensive [4], hypoglycemic [5], antiinflammatory [6], [7], antinociceptive [8], and immunopotentiating [9]. Recent studies indicate that TQ also has antioxidant activity [10], [11], [12]; therefore, it may be protective against experimental carcinogenesis [10], cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity [11], and doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity [12]. Moreover, El-Dakhakhny et al [13] suggest that N sativa oil protects against ethanol (EtOH)-induced ulcers in rats. Other studies have focused on the role of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in mediating the gastric mucosal injury induced by stress, NSAIDs, and necrotizing agents such as EtOH [14].
We hypothesize that TQ, which is a main component for the pharmacological actions of N sativa oil, might have a protective role against gastric ulceration. Therefore, the research aim was to examine the effect of TQ on EtOH-induced acute gastric damage.
Section snippets
Animals
The antiulcerogenic effect of TQ was assessed in male Wistar albino rats, weighing 200 to 230 g, obtained from the experimental animal unit of Karaelmas University, Zonguldak, Turkey. Rats were maintained at 24°C ± 2°C and 55% relative humidity. Rats were fasted overnight but had free access to tap water. The Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Karaelmas University approved the use of rats and procedures for the study.
Ethanol-induced gastric ulcer and drug treatments
Gastric ulcers were induced by intragastric administration of 1 mL of
Results
The ulcer index was evaluated macroscopically as depicted in Fig. 1. The intragastric administration of absolute EtOH caused gastric ulcers in rats (UI, 67% ± 3.6%). Intragastric administration of TQ at 5 and 20 mg/kg inhibited the development of gastric ulcer induced by EtOH in a dose-dependent manner (UI, 34% ± 4.4% and 18% ± 1.9%, respectively). As shown in Fig. 2, histopathological sections revealed that absolute EtOH led to extensive mucosal lesions. These lesions were various; some
Discussion
The result of this study revealed that TQ might be a potential inhibitor for gastric ulcer development induced by intragastric administration of 1 mL of absolute EtOH. Both biochemical analysis and macroscopic and microscopic examinations demonstrated that TQ might have protective effects. After TQ administration, significant reduction in LPO products, along with the decreased ulcer index, was observed. These results suggest that the breakdown of lipids can play an important role in
Acknowledgments
Support from the Research Foundation of the Zonguldak Karaelmas University is appreciated. This study was presented at the fifth International Congress of Turkish Society of Toxicology, 2003, Antalya, Turkey.
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