Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of naringin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, on experimental esophagitis in Wistar rats. Animals divided into six groups and received carboxymethyl cellulose (0.25%, 3 ml/kg, sham control), standard pantoprazole (30 mg/kg) and naringin (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) for 7 d orally and subjected to pylorus and forestomach ligation. All animals were sacrificed after 8 h and evaluated for various physiological parameters like total acidity, free acidity, gastric pH, volume of gastric juices and esophagitis index. Esophagitis regions were further subjected to estimation of various oxidative stress parameters including thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Later, histopathology and scanning electron microscopy of esophagitis regions were also performed to evaluate protective action of naringin. Results revealed that treatment with pantoprazole and naringin significantly inhibited the gastric secretion, total acidity and esophagitis index. Various oxidative stress parameters were restored to normal level in the treatment groups. Histopathology and scanning electron microscopy analyses demonstrated the protective action of naringin as evidenced by normal tissue architecture of esophagitis regions. These findings indicate the potential of naringin against esophagitis.