HEPATIC ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA SEED EXTRACT AND OMEPRAZOLE CO_TREATMENT IN ETHANOL INDUCED GASTRIC INJURY

Gastric ulcers result from disruption of the gastric mucosal barrier, allowing acid-mediated injury to the stomach lining. Ethanol is widely used as an ulcerogenic agent in experimental models due to its ability to cause direct mucosal damage, epithelial disruption, and altered acid secretion. Omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, protects against ulcer formation by suppressing gastric acid secretion, while Moringa oleifera has been reported to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects that enhance mucosal defense. This study investigated the gastroprotective potential of M. oleifera seed extract, alone and in combination with omeprazole, against ethanol-induced gastric injury in rats. Ethanol exposure caused a marked rise in gastric pH, severe mucosal lesions, and significant reductions in antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Pretreatment with omeprazole reduced ulcer severity and preserved mucosal integrity, consistent with its acid-suppressive action. Administration of M. oleifera seed extract produced dose-dependent gastroprotection, improving gastric pH, reducing ulcer indices, and restoring antioxidant enzyme activities. Co-administration of omeprazole and M. oleifera extract demonstrated synergistic effects, with higher doses yielding near-complete mucosal protection and normalization of biochemical parameters. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of M. oleifera as a natural gastroprotective agent, particularly when combined with conventional anti-ulcer drugs, offering a dual strategy of acid suppression and mucosal defense enhancement.