Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Gastro-Protective Actions of Cardamom Essential Oil-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carrier in Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcer

Background: Elettaria cardamomum possesses a variety of beneficial effects. Thus, we aimed to investigate cardamom essential oil-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (CEO-NLC) gastro-protective effects in an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in a rat model. Materials and Methods: Forty male albino rats of the Wistar strain were assigned into eight groups. Pretreatment of animal groups with the low (300 mg/kg) and high (600 mg/kg) doses of CEO-NLC alleviates the pathological damage. It significantly reduces the ulcer areas induced by ethanol in rats, reducing pH, gastric-free, and total acidity measurements. Omeprazole 20 mg/kg was utilized as a reference medication to compare its effect with CEO-NLC. Results: Treatment with CEO-NLC increases total antioxidant capacity and suppresses oxidative damage of the stomach by lowering malonaldehyde (MDA) levels. Furthermore, inflammatory infiltration in groups treated with CEO-NLC is alleviated by decreasing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF- α, and increasing anti-inflammatory IL-10. Administration of CEO-NLC, either at prophylactic or therapeutic doses, significantly reduces gastrin levels. Conclusion: CEO-NLCs demonstrated curative effects in inhibiting ethanol-induced gastric damage, which is related to suppressing gastric inflammation and oxidative stress. Thus, CEO-NLC might enhance the management of gastric ulcers.