Protective Effect of Cool Extraction of Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) Oil Against CCl4-Induced Oxidative Damages in Wistar Rats Testis.

Abstract

Over many centuries humans have been mining the bounties of nature for discovering substances that have been used for the treatment of all human diseases. Traditionally various human diseases of kidneys, hormonal imbalance and sexual diseases are treated with Nigella sativa oil. In the present study, protective effects of cool extraction of Nigella sativa oil was evaluated against CCl4-induced oxidative damages in rat testis. To examine the protective effects of cool extraction of Nigella sativa oil on testis against oxidative stress of carbon tetrachloride in male rats, 35 male albino rats were equally divided into 7 groups (5 rats). Group 1 rats were administered normal Saline (volume per body weight) orally. Group 2 rats were administered olive oil 4ml/kg body weight orally. Group 3 rats were administered 2ml/kg body weight of N. sativa oil orally. Group 4 rats were administered 4ml/kg body weight of N. sativa oil orally for 2 weeks. Group 5 rats were administered 4ml/kg body weight CCl4 (30% CCl4 in 70% olive oil) orally. Group 6 rats were administered 2ml/kg body weight of N. sativa oil plus 4ml/kg body weight CCl4 (30% CCl4 in 70% olive oil) orally. Group 7 rats were administered 4ml/kg body weight of N. sativa oil plus 4ml/kg body weight CCl4 (30% CCl4 in 70% olive oil) orally. Protective effects of Nigella sativa oil were observed on the biochmical (SOD, CAT, GSH and LPO) and histological paramters. Results of the present study revealed that treatment of CCl4 caused elevated level of TBARS and significantly reduced sperm concentration comparatively to control. N. sativa treatment positively protects the alterations in biochemical variables SOD, CAT, GSH and LPO in the CCl4 + N. sativa-treated rats. N. sativa markedly reduced elevated TBARS. Histopathological changes were observed. Testis tissues in group 1, 2, 3 and 4 showed normal testicular architecture. There was a widespread degeneration in the spermatogenic cell lines of the seminiferous epithelium of group 5 rats. N.sativa oil showed protective effect on the histological section of the testis in groups 6 and 7. From the results it is suggested that cool extraction of Nigella sativa oil extract has the ability to protect testis against oxidative and histological damages, possibly through antioxidant effects of its bioactive compounds. KEYWORD: CCl4, N. sativa, Biochemical Assay, Testis, Wistar Rats