Abstract
Objective
To evaluated the role of thymoquinone (TQ) on stress induced ulceration progress in
rats subjected to water immersion restraint as a stress (WRS) condition model.
Materials and Methods
Wistar albino rats were divided into different groups; the animals were subjected
to WRS. TQ (10 mg/kg) alone and TQ with ranitidine (20 mg/kg) were administered per
orally as pre treatment for 7 days. On 8th day the animals were sacrificed, gastric juice, pH, acid secretion, acid output,
ulcer index and markers of oxidative stress and histopathology were determined.
Results
Volume of gastric juice, acid secretion was increased, while pH decreased in WRS animals.
TQ pre-treated group showed reduction in the above parameters. The combination group
showed more significant results than TQ and ranitidine alone on the above parameters.
TQ decreased the ulcer index (UI), again combination group showed more significant
decreased in UI. Oxidative stress markers were reduced and antioxidant enzymes were
augmented. Gastric mucosa was protected as demonstrated by histological slides.
Conclusion
The present study is one of its kinds to demonstrate anti ulcer effect of TQ against
the water immersion restraint method of stress ulceration. Thus, TQ has the potential
to be the promising drug for stress induced gastric ulcers.
Key words
TQ - ulcer index - gastroprotective - antioxidant - restraint stress
