Effect of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Nigella sativa on Gastric Acid and Mucus Secretion in Cyclooxygenase Inhibition Condition in Rats

Aims: In various studies and also in traditional medicine, many properties for Nigella sativa, such as antioxidant effects and gastric mucosa protection have been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa on acid and mucus secretion in cyclooxygenase inhibition conditions. Materials & Methods: This interventional study was done using 40 Wistar rats. The rats were divided into 5 groups; positive control (distilled water), Ranitidine (50mg/kg) and three groups receiving Nigella sativa extract (100, 200 and 400mg/kg). The groups were treated by gavage for 5 days and on 6 th day Indomethacin was gavaged to cyclooxygenase inhibition and 6 hours later acid and mucus secretion were examined. Findings: No differences were observed in acid secretion between treated groups with Ranitidine, the extract and Indomethacin. But mucus secretion in groups of 100 and 200mg/kg doses of the extract was higher than the group receiving Indomethacin significantly. Conclusion: Nigella seed extract can protect the gastric mucosa against damages caused by cyclooxygenase inhibition, but is not able to reduce the acid secretion elevated by Indomethacin.