Mucus secreting activity and nitric oxide concentrations of ethanol-injured pylorus and duodenum of rats pretreated with Moringa oleifera -

Objective: The mechanism of ethanol-induced gastrointestinal mucosal lesions is known to include direct damage to mucus synthesis. The present study histochemically evaluated the activity of mucus secreting cells and determined the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in ethanol injured pylorus and duodenum of rats pretreated with ethanol extract of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves. Methods: Male adult rats were randomly assigned into five groups: group A served as control; group B received single dose of 5 ml/kg ethanol orally; group C received 200 mg/kg MO only orally for five days; group D and E received MO at 200 mg/kg and cimetidine at 100 mg/kg orally for five days, respectively, and then ethanol was administered at 5 ml/kg orally on the 6th day to these groups. Results: Ethanol significantly reduced NO concentration in pylorus, and this was attenuated with MO pretreatment. Pretreatment with both MO and cimetidine significantly attenuated the hemorrhagic injuries induced by ethanol. Pretreatment with MO increased activity of mucus secreting cells compared to ethanol only group. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the antiulcer activity of Moringa oleifera may be attributed to preservation of mucus secreting cells and maintenance of endogenous NO concentrations in ethanol injured gastroduodenal tissues.