Abstract

ANTI-ULCEROGENIC EFFECTS OF NIGELLA SATIVA L. MELANIN

Adila El-Obeid*, Kamal Eldin. H. ELTahir, Hamid Elhag, Adil M. Haseeb

Abstract

Aim: The current study is to examine the effect of a Herbal Melanin (HM), obtained from the seed coats of Nigella sativa L., as antiulcerogenic agent against alcohol-, indomethacin-, aspirin-, stress- and combined stress and aspirin-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Method: Using Wistar rats, gastric ulcers have been induced by administration of alcohol-, indomethacin-, aspirin-, stress and combined stress and aspirin. Herbal melanin was administrated before or together with the ulcerogenic agents. Results: Pretreatment or co-administration of HM with the ulcerogenic agents at doses of 0.12 or 1g kg-1 body weight, by gavage, significantly protected the stomach against inducible ulcers. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that HM, extracted from the seed coats of Nigella sativa L, strongly protects from ulcers induced by alcohol, indomethacin, stress, or the combined ulcerogenic action of both stress and aspirin.

Keywords: Herbal melanin; Experimental ulcers; alcohol; indomethacin; aspirin; stress.