Gastro-protective effects of camel milk on indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer in Wistar rats

Abstract

Gastric ulcer associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and low-dose aspirin is a major public health problem. The present study was undertaken to determine the camel milk antioxidant activity, tested on DPPH, and its gastro-protective effect, investigated in Wistar rats sub-jected to gastric ulcer induced by a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, indomethacin. The study was performed on 20 adult male Wistar rats divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each. The negative control group received distilled water, the positive control group received indomethacin, the standard group received ranitidine and the fourth group was pretreated with raw camel milk, for 15 days respectively. On the 16th day, the indomethacin was ad-ministered to all rats except those of the negative control group. The ulcerogenic effect of indomethacin was highly significant, evidenced by a large number of ulcer lesions, a remarkably high ulcer index, and an important decrease in adherent gastric mucus. Camel milk resulted in significant gastro-protection compared to indomethacin ulcerated rats as manifested by significant decrease in ulcerative lesions number, and the ulcer index with a restored gastric mucus wall. The camel milk protection percentage is close to that of ranitidine. Additionally, in indomethacin-injured rats an increase in white blood cells, granulocytes, serum transaminases, and hemoglobin levels with a lowering in red blood cells were reported. These physiological disturbances were recovered by camel milk. Camel milk seemed to have gastro-protective effect, probably through its strong antioxidant activity, and may be recommended to patients with arthritis.