Effect of Moringa oleifera leaves extract on the oxidative stress and gastric mucosal ulcer induced by indomethacin in rats

Abstract

Indomethacin is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory and pain relieving medication; however, it has the side effect of gastric ulcer formation which is an actual common gastrointestinal illness that may result in dangerous complications and even death. Various diseases have been treated widely by the use of oriental herbal medicines, this study aims to evaluate the antiulcerative and antioxidative effect of two doses (100 and 50 of Moringa oleifera ethanolic leaf extract; MOELE) on indomethacin plus ethanol-induced oxidative gastric mucosal injury in rats. Sixty adult males Wistar rats weighing 170 to 200 g, were divided into equal six groups. First group of rats were administered saline as a vehicle, second group of rats were given indomethacin (15 mg/kg), third and fourth groups of rats were giving MOELE 100 and 500 mg, fifth group of rats were given indomethacin+ MOELE 100 mg, and sixth group of rats were administered with indomethacin + MOELE (500 mg). To study the effect of MOELE on oxidative gastric mucosal injury in rats, two doses were administered 2 h before ulcer induction by indomethacin plus ethanol. The administration continued for two weeks. All rats were sacrificed 24 h after the last dose. Indomethacin group showed significant increases in lesion index (LI) and increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level, while there was a decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities when compared with the control group (G1). MOELE with two doses mentioned before (groups 5 and 6) were effective to reduce stomach LI and oxidative stress markers (MDA) while increasing significantly the antioxidant biomarkers (SOD, GST, and GPx) compared with indomethacin group (G2). A highly significant decrease in MDA accompanied by a marked increase in SOD, GST, and GPx were recorded in group 6. The results concluded that MOELE has an effective antiulcer and antioxidant activities. It can scavenge the free radicals and protect gastric against ulceration. Also, MOELE could ameliorate the ulcerative side effect of indomethacin. Key words: Moringa oleifera, antioxidant enzymes, indomethacin, lesion index, lipid peroxidation.