Effects of ethanolic extract of woody endocarpium walnut on acid secretion and gastric oxidative changes following ischemia-gastric reperfusion injury in male rats

Walnut has anti-atherogenic, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Walnut also contains many substances with strong neuroprotective properties, including vitamin E, folate, melatonin, flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds, which have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ethanolic extract of woody endocarpium walnut on acid secretion and oxidative changes of the gastric tissue following ischemic-reperfusion injury in male rats.

40 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 10 in each group) control (intact), ischemia-reperfusion injury group, and ethanolic extract of woody endocarpium walnut (20 and 50 mg/kg). In each group, the amount of acid secretion, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, thiol and histological changes of gastric tissue were measured.

The results of the present study showed that ischemia-reperfusion induction decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, thiol and gastric acid and increased malondialdehyde. Treatment with ethanolic extract of woody endocarpium walnut significantly increased the amount of acid secretion and superoxide dismutase activity and decreased the levels of malondialdehyde and thiol. In histopathological evaluation, the density of peripheral cells secreting gastric acid was restored after treatment. There was no significant difference between the two doses of the extract.

The results of the present study showed that ischemia-reperfusion causes gastric damage in rats and treatment with ethanolic extract of woody endocarpium walnut can be effective in preventing complications of gastric ischemia.