Administration Of Nigella Sativa Oil Research Articles

Protective Effect of Nigella Sativa Against Diabetic Complications on the Liver in White Male Rats

Aim of the work: The effect of diabetes on the liver is associated with histological changes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the histological changes following administration of nigella sativa (NS) in the streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes mellitus in rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty six male white rats (n=36), weighing (180–230 g) were taken for this study. The animals were divided into 3 groups: 1- Normal control group. 2- Diabetic group. 3- Diabetic group treated by Nigella Sativa (N.S) oil. Diabetes was induced in the experimental rats via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg body weight) in a single dose. The fasting blood glucose was estimated, 5ml\kg of body weight of N. sativa oil was given orally for three weeks. After an overnight fast, the animals were sacrificed. The livers were identified, weighed and observed for any gross appearance and color changes and tissues were preserved for histopathological studies using hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stains. Results: In streptozotocin treated animals, the body weight was significantly decreased compared to normal rats, while treating diabetic rats with N. sativa oil showed significant increases in the body weight. Administration of nigella sativa oil to diabetic rats resulted in a significant decrease in blood glucose after three weeks compared to untreated diabetic rats. In untreated diabetic group, there was a significant decrease in the liver glycogen. Light microscopic examination of the liver of diabetic rats revealed profound histological changes. Nigella sativa consumption could reverse most of these histological and biochemical changes in the liver of the diabetic group owing to its hypoglycemic and antioxidant effect. Conclusion: The Nigella Sativa due to its antioxidant role may be helpful in reversing the changes in the liver in diabetes mellitus.

Renal function and arterial blood pressure alterations after exposure to acetaminophen with a potential role of Nigella sativa oil in adult male rats

Hepatic injury by acetaminophen (APAP) has been extensively studied, although the alterations of renal functions and arterial blood pressure (ABP) after APAP exposure are still uncertain, and the impact of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) in this case is poorly defined. Sixty adult male albino rats were involved in two sets of experiments. The first was exposed to a single high dose of APAP (2.5g/kg) orally preceded by 4ml NSO/kg orally, while the second received 750mg APAP/kg/day orally for seven consecutive days and was pretreated with 2ml NSO/kg/day. Proximal tubular injury was assessed by laboratory and histological studies, and arterial blood pressure was recorded in all animals. In both experiments, urinary α-glutathione S-transferase and neutral endopeptidase, and microproteinuria were dramatically increased early indicating glomerulus and proximal tubule dysfunction that was mediated by raising 8-isoprostanes. Concomitantly, urinary albumin, total protein, creatinine, urea, glomerular filtration rate, Na and K levels, plasma creatinine, and urea were all changed significantly after APAP administration. Currently, ABP increased significantly after APAP which was mostly mediated by renal impairment and increased both renin activity and aldosterone secretion. Pretreatment with NSO produced significant normalization of physiological parameters as well as suppression of structural changes. In conclusion, measurement of urinary biomarkers can be considered a powerful tool for early screening of renal injury and alteration of ABP after APAP treatment. Concomitant administration of NSO can counterbalance these detrimental effects.

Effects of Nigella sativa oil on gastric secretion and ethanol induced ulcer in rats

The present work was done to investigate the possible effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on gastric secretion and ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. Thirty two adult male rats were used in this study (four groups) and several parameters were determined to assess any degree of protection. It was found that the administration of NSO in rats produced a significant increase in mucin content and glutathione level and a significant decrease in mucosal histamine content. Ethanol administration produced a 100% ulcer induction with an ulcer score of 12.62±1.35 (mean±S.E., n=8). It caused a significant reduction in free acidity and glutathione level while it produced a significant increase in mucosal histamine content. When animals were pretreated with NSO before induction of ulcer, there was a significant increase in glutathione level, mucin content and free acidity and a significant decrease in gastric mucosal histamine content with a protection ratio of 53.56% as compared to the ethanol group. It can be concluded that NSO imparted a protective action against ethanol induced ulcer in rats.