PROTECTIVE ROLE OF THE NIGELLA SATIVA OIL AGAINST

Abstract

Objective: Arsenic (As) exposure causes oxidative stress and tissue damage in the rat brain. This study was under taken to investigate the role of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) in ameliorate the neurotoxicity induced by arsenic exposure in male rats. Design: Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups each 10 rats, Group I (normal control group): received saline solution orally. Group II (As group): rats received arsenic as sodium arsenite orally (5 mg/kg bw/day) for 30 days. Group III (NSO group): rats administered orally with Nigella sativa oil at a dose of (0.5 ml/kg bw/day) for 30 days. Group IV (As +NSO group): rats received both sodium arsenite orally (5 mg/kg bw/day) and NSO oil at a dose of (0.5 ml/kg bw/day) for 30 days. At the end of the experimental period, rats were sacrificed; brain samples were obtained for different biochemical analyses. The biochemical analyses included determination of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1b (IL-1b), FAS, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: In comparison with normal control group, the As group recorded significant increase in the brain levels of TNF-α, IL-1b, FAS and VEGF levels in brain tissue. On the other hand, significant decrease in brain Bcl2 and BDNF levels were detected in As group as compared to normal control group. In contrast, the treatment of As group with NSO caused an improvement in the most studied biochemical parameters as indicated by decreased brain levels of TNF-α, IL-1b, FAS and VEGF accompanied with significant increase in the levels of Bcl2 and BDNF as compared to As group. Conclusion: This study revealed that Nigella sativa oil significantly ameliorates the neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disorders characterizing to neurotoxicity induced by sodium arsenite in male rats due to its antiinflammatory property and antioxidant capacity.