Protective effect of Nigella sativa Linn seeds (black cumin seeds) fortified diet against sodium arsenite-induced toxicities

Abstract

Arsenic poisoning is an important global health issue in many countries due to having toxic arsenic (As) metalloid in drinking water and food in arsenic-endemic regions. This study was designed on animal models to monitor the protective effect of black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa Linn.) from sodium arsenite (SA) toxicity. Sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg body wt/day) was given orally with drinking water and black cumin seed (100 mg/kg body wt/day) was given as a food supplement for four weeks. This study revealed that black cumin seed significantly (P < 0.05) improved the blood indices in relation to total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), total serum urea, glucose, and uric acid of the experimental animals. It also developed the body weight loss of SA-induced rats significantly (P < 0.05). Therefore, black cumin seed has the potential to mitigate arsenic-induced changes in cardiovascular, liver, and renal function, and ongoing pathophysiological studies will clarify its plausible mechanism.