In Vivo Protective Role of Nigella sativa L. Against Pb(NO3)2 Induced Toxicity

Abstract

In this study, the protective role of Nigella sativa L. seed extract (NSSE) against Pb(NO3)2 toxicity in albino mice was investigated. For this purpose, the mice were randomly divided to six groups. In control group, mice were treated with tap water and in the treatment groups 500 mg kg-1 bw Pb(NO3)2, 300 and 600 mg kg-1 bw doses of NSSE were exposed to mice. The effects of all treatments on organism development were investigated by determining the changes in body, liver and kidney weights of each group. Genotoxic effects were determined by investigating the chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) in bone marrow cells, micronucleus (MN) frequency in erythrocyte and buccal mucosa cells. As a result, it was observed that Pb(NO3)2 treatment resulted in a 6.33-fold decrease in body weight gain and 2.08 and 1.65-fold increase in liver and kidney weights compared to control group, respectively. In addition, it was determined that these alterations in weights were positively changed after NSSE treatment. From MN assays it was observed that MN frequencies of erythrocyte and buccal mucosa cells in 500 mg kg-1 bw Pb(NO3)2 treated group were found as 58.17±5.46 and 19.00±2.76 while in 600 mg kg-1 bw NSSE+Pb(NO3)2 treated group, the frequencies were determined as 32.67±3.78 and 6.50±1.87, respectively. A similar protective role was also observed against CAs formation, and 600 mg kg-1 NSSE treatment was found to reduce the chromatid breaks by 44%. As a result, it has been determined that NSSE can be used as a protective nutrient against the harmful effects of chemicals such as heavy metals especially Pb.