Gastroprotective effect of Sardine oil (Sardinella longiceps) against HCl/ethanol induced ulceration in Wistar rats

Abstract

Sardine oil is rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) like EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). The oil showed a significant proportion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), the percentages of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) being 16 and 14% respectively. Gastroprotective activities of sardine oil (Sardinella longiceps) were examined in ulcer induced rats. Sardine oil has significant anti-secretory activity as evidenced by decreased gastric fluid volume, total acidity, and increase in the pH of the gastric fluid in ethanol/HCl induced rats. Our studies also revealed that pretreatment with sardine oil significantly reduced the number of ulcer, ulcer score and ulcer index in ethanol/HCl treated rats. The anti-ulcer activity of sardine oil is further supported by histopathological study, which showed protection of the mucosal layer from ulceration. Furthermore, this oil showed significant reversal of ethanol-diminished activity in antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD, CAT, and GSH. The overall findings conclude that oil of Sardinella longiceps has a significant proportion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and potent anti-ulcer effects. Hence, sardine oil may be a suitable natural source for the prevention and treatment of gastric lesions.