The effect of Nigella sativa (black seed) on ethanol induced ulcer in wistar albino rats

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the protective role of the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa on ethanol induced intestinal ulcer. A total of twenty (20) healthy Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups of five rats each. The control was pre-treated with normal saline, the second group was pretreated with a standard ulcer drug (Gestid suspension), the third group was pretreated with aqueous extract of Nigella sativa at low dose (320mg/kg) and the fourth group was pretreated with aqueous extract of Nigella sativa at a high dose of 640mg/kg. The findings at the end of the experiment revealed that the control group showed distortion in the intestinal mucosa, damaged submucosa, basement membrane, blood vessel and muscular layer. The Gestid group showed an intact submucosa and mild damage to the intestinal lining. The low dose showed a distorted intestinal mucosa and the high dose group showed mild damage to the intestinal mucosa. The aqueous extract of Nigella sativa administered at 320 mg/kg body weight and 640 mg/kg body weight dose appeared to have protected the intestine from ethanol-induced ulcer at the end of the experimental study.