Antioxidant effect of methanolic extract ofSolanum nigrum berries on aspirin induced gastric mucosal injury.

The antiulcerogenic effects of the methanolic extract ofSolanum nigrum berries (SBE) on aspirin induced ulceration in rats with respect to antioxidant status in the gastric mucosa have been investigated. Oxygen free radicals are considered to be important factors in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcer. The level of lipid peroxides, which were elevated highly in rats with acute gastric mucosal injury was taken as an index of oxidative stress. The activities of antioxidant defense enzymes were also decreased considerably by oral gastric administration of aspirin. The decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes and increased mucosal injury were altered to near normal status upon pretreatment with (SBE) when compared to the ulcer induced rats. The results indicate that (SBE) may exert its gastroprotective effect by a free radical scavenging action. Our observations suggest that (SBE) may have considerable therapeutic potential in the treatment of gastric diseases.