Background: Sider (Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf.) Honey has been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders
including peptic ulcer. Aim of the study: The mechanism of the antiulcer effect of sider honey was studied placing
emphasis on its role to block oxidative damage and apoptosis during ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in rats. The
mechanism of the antiulcer effect of sider honey was studied placing emphasis on its role to block oxidative damage
and apoptosis during ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in rats. Materials and methods: Experimental animals were
orally treated with sidr honey (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively) or omeprazole and subsequently exposed to
95%ethanol (5 mL/Kg, orally) to induce acute gastroulcerogenesis. Effectiveness of sidr honey was evaluated using
ulcer index, pH of gastric juice, mucus content, morphological analyses, glutathione assay and malondialdehyde
level. The anti-apoptotic role of sidr honey was studied using immunohistochemical staining of gastric tissues using
monoclonal antibodies of Bax pathway. Results: Dose-response studies in ethanol-induced ulcer indicate that sidr
honey significantly blocks gastric lesions at lower dose (100 mg/kg). Lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion
were significantly inhibited by sidr honey. Sidr honey modulated the immuno-expression of mitochondrial associated
protein (Bax). Conclusion: Thus, sider honey plays a considerable role in gastro protection by acting as a potent
antioxidant and antiapoptotic agent. Future study is required to explore its potential clinical usage.
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