Induction of COX-1, suppression of COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines gene expression by moringa leaves and its aqueous extract in aspirin-induced gastric ulcer rats

The Moringa plant (Moringa oleifera) is known for its potential medicinal properties and health benefits in addition to its high nutritional value. The current study aimed to investigate the antiulcer effect of moringa leaves and its aqueous extract on pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators in ulcerative rats. Rats were treated with either moringa leaves (10%) or moringa extract (300 mg/kg body weight) for 4 weeks then treated with a single dose of aspirin to induce gastric ulcer. Moringa leaves and its extract markedly reduced ulcer index, gastric volume and total acidity. Both treatments induced a significant increase in gastric mucosal mucin content and plasma NO level associated with significant decrease in plasma TNFα. Moringa leaves and its extract prompted down-regulation of TNFα, TGFβ1 and COX2 genes expression by 2.7, 3.5, and 8.4 fold-change for moringa leaves and 2.7, and 2.3, 4.1 fold-change for moringa extract, respectively. Moringa leaves and extract treatments altered the COX-1 gene expression levels to near normal values. This study confirms the gastro-protective influence of moringa leaves and its extract on aspirin-induced ulcer in rats as manifested by its significant reduction in inflammatory cytokines and normalization of gastric mucosal mucin and NO level. Overall, moringa leaves powder is more efficient as antiulcer agent than moringa extract.