Effects of nigella sativa oil on allergic rhinitis: an experimental animal study

Abstract Objectives: Nigella sativa oil is known antiallergic and immunomodulatory effects. We aimed to compare this oil with mometasone furoate, a topical steroid, on a rat model in the prevention of allergic rhinitis symptoms. Methods: A total of 28 two-to-four-month-old Wistar Hannover rats weighing 250-350 g were randomly divided into four groups of seven, which included control, allergic rhinitis, mometasone furoate, and Nigella sativa oil groups. Loss of cilia, an increase of goblet cells, vascular proliferation, inflammatory cell count, eosinophil infiltration, and the degree of hypertrophy in chondrocytes were assessed by light microscopy. Results: The frequency of nasal scratching in the Nigella sativa oil group was found to be significantly lower compared with the allergic rhinitis group (p < 0.05). Typical inflammatory changes seen in allergic rhinitis were not detected in the Nigella sativa oil group. No inflammation was observed in 85.7% of both the healthy control group and the Nigella sativa oil group. In addition, no inflammation was observed in 71.4% of the mometasone furoate group, and this difference was found to be significant compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, eosinophil infiltration, cilia loss, chondrocyte hypertrophy, vascular proliferation, and goblet cell increase were found to be significantly decreased in the mometazone furoate and Nigella sativa oil groups compared to the allergic rhinitis group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: According to the findings obtained from this study, we found anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of Nigella sativa oil as equally effective as mometasone furoate in the treatment of experimentaly generated allergic rhinitis. Level of evidence: IV.

Radioprotective Effect of Nigella Sativa Oil on Heart Tissues of Rats Exposed to Irradition

Abstract Background Various studies are ongoing related to the radioprotective agents. Herbal preparations are currently becoming popular because of their beneficial effects with fewer side effects compared to the synthetic/semi-synthetic medicines, and Nigella sativa oil (NSO) is only one of them. Objective To investigate NSO for its antioxidant effects on the heart tissue of rats exposed to ionizing radiation (IR). Methods Thirty six male albino Wistar rats, divided into four groups, were designated to group I (IR plus NSO group) that received both 5 Gray of gamma IR to total cranium and NSO; group II (IR alone group) that received IR plus saline, group III (control group of NSO) that received saline and did not receive NSO or IR; group IV (control group) that received only sham IR. Alterations in Total antioxidant status (TAS) and Total oxidant status (TOS), Oxidative stres index (OSI), Sulhydryl group (SH), Lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), Paraoxonase (PON) levels, Arylesterase (ARE) and Ceruloplasmin (CER) activities in homogenized heart tissue of rats were measured by biochemical methods. Results In heart tissue of the rats in the IR alone group (group II) LOOH, TOS and OSI levels were found to be higher, ARE activity and TAS level were found to be lower than all of the other groups (p < 0.01). These results also support that IR increases oxidative stress and NSO's protective effect. Conclusion NSO would reduce the oxidative damage in the irradiated heart tissue in the experimental rat model.

Role Of Nigella Sativa In Renoprotection

Objective:To evaluate the role of Nigella sativa in renoprotectionMaterial and Methods:This prospective, comparative study was completed in a tertiary care centre of north India in patients of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Group I (Control) received conservative management of CKD and while Group II (Test) received conservative management along with Nigella sativa oil (2.5 mL, orally, once daily) for 12 weeks. Renal function tests were done at 0, 6 and 12 weeks of treatment.Results:There was more progressive improvement in biochemical values and clinical signs and symptoms in test group. There was decrement in blood urea, serum creatinine and 24-hour total urine protein (TUP). There was rise in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and 24-hour total urine volume (TUV). Conclusion:Nigella sativa oil supplementation is effective and safe in prevention of progression of nephropathy.

Study of effect of Nigella sativa on prevention of nephrotoxicity induced by colistin in experimental animals

ABSTRACTBackground: Nigella sativa, a widely used medicinal plant throughout the world belongs to family ranunculaceae. Its Seeds and oil have a long history of folklore usage in various traditional systems of medicines and food. This study was performed to evaluate the protective effect of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on kidney when simultaneously given with colistin sulfate (CS) which induces tubular damage in rats.Methods: Animals were treated for 7 days: Group I (n=6) with normal saline and CMC, Group II, III and IV with 300.000IU/kg/day of CS (n=6). Group III and Group IV with NSO at the dose of 1 and 2ml/kg per orum prior to CS administration. All the animals were sacrificed on 8th day. Afterwards, the plasma creatinine (pCr), blood urea, renal tissue level of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and renal histology were performed.Results: Colistin sulfate induced tubular damage, increased the plasma creatinine (pCr), blood urea and MDA levels and decreased the reduced glutathione (GSH). However, simultaneous treatment with Nigella sativa oil at the dose of 1ml/kg and 2ml/kg for one week produced dose dependant improvement in tubular damage and reduced the biochemical alteration.Conclusions: It could be concluded that, Colistin sulfate induced nephrotoxicity is ameliorated by NS oil especially in higher dose of (2ml/kg). This nephroprotective effect is ascribed to free radical scavenging and potent antioxidant activity in Nigella sativa.

Protective efficacy of Nigella sativa oil against the harmful effects of formaldehyde on rat testicular tissue

Objective: To explore the effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on the histopathological and biochemical changes that inhaled formaldehyde (FA) induces on the testicular tissue of rats. Methods: Thirty three adult male rats were separated into five groups as follows: C, the control group; 4FA group which received FA for 4 weeks; 13FA group which was given FA for 13 weeks; 4FA+NSO group which was administered FA plus NSO for 4 weeks; 13FA+NSO group which was treated with FA plus NSO for 13 weeks. FA was administered through inhalation for 8 h 5 days a week at a dose of 5 ppm in a special glass cage, and NSO was administered orally 1 mL/kg once daily. Rats were decapitated at the end of the experiment and testicular tissue specimens were harvested for histopathologic and biochemical assessment. Results: Compared to the C group, reduction was observed in the number of intact tubules and in the mean germinative epithelium thickness of the FA groups. Significant increase was observed in the number of intact tubules with the long-term (13 weeks) administration of NSO together with FA. Reduced glutathione peroxidase activity was found and oxidative stress index values were measured higher in the 4FA and 13FA groups versus the C group (P<0.05). Moreover, total antioxidant status levels decreased only in the 4FA group (P<0.05) while only the 13FA group significantly increased malondialdehyde levels and reduced catalase activities in comparison with the C group. In the 13FA+NSO group, malondialdehyde levels decreased however glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities increased compared to the 13FA group. Differences measured in total antioxidant status levels were found to be statistically significant only between the 4FA and the 4FA+NSO groups. Conclusions: NSO as an antioxidant should be used for a longer term to achieve protective efficacy both histopathologically and biochemically in the testicular tissue.

Protective efficacy of Nigella sativa oil against the harmful effects of formaldehyde on rat testicular tissue

Objective: To explore the effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on the histopathological and biochemical changes that inhaled formaldehyde (FA) induces on the testicular tissue of rats. Methods: Thirty three adult male rats were separated into five groups as follows: C, the control group; 4FA group which received FA for 4 weeks; 13FA group which was given FA for 13 weeks; 4FA+NSO group which was administered FA plus NSO for 4 weeks; 13FA+NSO group which was treated with FA plus NSO for 13 weeks. FA was administered through inhalation for 8 h 5 days a week at a dose of 5 ppm in a special glass cage, and NSO was administered orally 1 mL/kg once daily. Rats were decapitated at the end of the experiment and testicular tissue specimens were harvested for histopathologic and biochemical assessment. Results: Compared to the C group, reduction was observed in the number of intact tubules and in the mean germinative epithelium thickness of the FA groups. Significant increase was observed in the number of intact tubules with the long-term (13 weeks) administration of NSO together with FA. Reduced glutathione peroxidase activity was found and oxidative stress index values were measured higher in the 4FA and 13FA groups versus the C group (P<0.05). Moreover, total antioxidant status levels decreased only in the 4FA group (P<0.05) while only the 13FA group significantly increased malondialdehyde levels and reduced catalase activities in comparison with the C group. In the 13FA+NSO group, malondialdehyde levels decreased however glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities increased compared to the 13FA group. Differences measured in total antioxidant status levels were found to be statistically significant only between the 4FA and the 4FA+NSO groups. Conclusions: NSO as an antioxidant should be used for a longer term to achieve protective efficacy both histopathologically and biochemically in the testicular tissue.

Refractory Coeliac Disease; Role of Nigella sativa as Immunomodulator.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the immunological and histological profiles of adult coeliac patients after commencing Nigella sativa (NS) oil with gluten free diet (GFD) for a period of 1 year ± 1month to prove its validity in treatment of refractory coeliac disease (CD). Methodology: Thirty two adult coeliac patients who all accepted to do endoscopy and duodenal biopsy in addition to serological assessment before and after treatment of GFD alone or with NS oil capsules for a period of 1 year ± 1 month. Duodenal biopsies were interpreted histologically according to modified Marsh criteria and the sera were tested for antigliadin antibody (AGA), anti tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG) and endomysium antibody (EMA). Results: The response to gluten withdrawal with NS oil for a period of 1 year ± 1 month in CD patients was better than GFD alone with significant response to serological markers. Conclusion: The administration of NS oil with GFD to CD patients leads to a significant decreases more than GFD alone in the levels of all immunological parameters with histological improvement and stop the disease process (P=0.001). Ultimately, the results emerging from this study may substantially improve the immunotherapeutic application of NS in clinical management of refractory CD cases.

Lindane-induced biochemical perturbations in rat serum and attenuation by omega-3 and Nigella sativa seed oil.

Lindane (-hexachlorocyclohexane, -HCH), a highly persistent organochlorine insecticide is neurotoxic at acute doses and has been reported to induce oxidative stress in cells and tissues. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant property of Nigella sativa seed oil (N.O) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (3) against -HCH-induced oxidative hepatic and renal damage in male rats serum. Rats were orally given sublethal dose of -HCH (12 mg/kg, 24 h prior to decapitation), while N.O (0.3 ml/kg) and 3 (20 mg/kg) were given every 48 h for 20 days single or together, or also combined with -HCH. -HCH caused a significant increase in the levels of serum total lipids, cholesterol, and triglycerides by 49, 61 and 30% respectively, while HDL-cholesterol decreased by 45% compared to control group. Pretreatment with 3 and N.O prior -HCH administration re-established the altered biochemical features and alleviated the harmful effects of g-HCH on lipid profile. The concentration of serum total protein and albumin was significantly decreased by 35 and 45% respectively in rats treated with -HCH compared to control. -HCH also caused hepatic and renal damage, as observed from the elevated serum levels of urea, creatinine, total bilirubin and uric acid contents and aminotransferases (AST and ALT), phosphatases (ACP and ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities. Co-administration of 3 and N.O reversed the hazardous effects induced by -HCH on the liver and kidney and also protected acetylcholinesterase from the inhibitory action of -HCH as well as suppressed the lipid peroxidation. Thus, the results show that 3 and N.O might prevent oxidative stress and attenuate the changes in the biochemical parameters induced by -HCH in male rats.