Protective effect of Nigella sativa oil against acetamiprid induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

The present study was designed to investigate the adverse reproductive effects of acetamiprid, besides the possible protective role of Nigella sativa oil (NSO), as a potential antioxidant agent. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were allocated into four equal groups of eight, control (CRL), acetamiprid (ACMP, 27?mg/kg), Nigella sativa oil (NSO, 0.5?ml/kg) and in combination (ACMP?+?NSO). The experimental animals were dosed by gavage (5?days per week) for 45 consecutive days. Body weight gain, reproductive organs weights, sperm characteristics, testosterone, and thiobarbutiric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels were investigated. The obtained results showed that ACMP decreased significantly (p?p?p?p?相似文献   

Oral Nigella sativa oil ameliorates ovalbumin-induced bronchial asthma in mice

Nigella sativa oil (NSO) is used in folk medicine as a therapy for many diseases including bronchial asthma. We investigated the possible modulating effects of NSO on asthma-like phenotypes in a mouse model of bronchial asthma. BALB/c mice were actively sensitized by intraperitoneal injections of 50μg ovalbumin (OVA) with 1mg alum on days 0 and 12. Starting on day 22, they were exposed to OVA (1% (w/v), in sterile physiological saline) for 30min, three times every 4th day. Negative control animals were exposed to saline in a similar manner. NSO was administered orally for 31day from day 0 to day 30. On the day of sensitization and challenge, NSO was given 30min before the treatment. Airway function, number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13 and interferon (IFN)-γ in BALF, serum levels of total IgE, OVA-specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a, and histopathological examination of lung tissues were investigated. Oral treatment with NSO showed significant decrease in airway hyperresponsiveness, the number of total leukocytes, macrophages and eosinophils, levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF, serum levels of total IgE, OVA-specific IgE and IgG1, and significant increase in BALF level of IFN-γ and serum level of OVA-specific IgG2a, indicating restoration of local Th1/Th2 balance. Furthermore, it significantly abrogated the histopathological changes of the lungs, as the images were nearly normal. These results suggest that the treatment with oral NSO could be a promising treatment for bronchial asthma in humans.     

Cardioprotective effects of Nigella sativa oil on cyclosporine A-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

Cyclosporine A is a well-known immunosuppressor agent universally used in allotransplantation. However, it has been demonstrated that this drug produces side-effects in several organs, particularly in the kidney and in the heart. Nigella sativa oil has long been used in folk medicine for a wide range of illnesses. One of the potential properties of N. sativa oil is the ability of one or more of its constituents to reduce toxicity due to its antioxidant activities. The antioxidant effects of N. sativa oil have been examined using different hepatic and kidney toxicity in in vivo murine models. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of N. sativa oil in the antioxidant enzyme status and myocardium of cyclosporine-A-treated rats. This study included 24 male Wistar albino young healthy rats (8-12 weeks) weighing 150-200 g. The control group received sunflower oil (21 days, 2 ml/kg/day, orally) without any treatment. The second group received only N. sativa oil (21 days, 2 ml/kg, orally) (N. sativa oil group). The animals in the third group received only cyclosporine A (21 days, 25 mg/kg, orally) (cyclosporine A group). The animals in the fourth group were treated with cyclosporine A (21 days, 25 mg/kg, orally) and starting one day before cyclosporine A administration were treated with N. sativa oil (21 days, 2 ml/kg, orally) (cyclosporine A +N. sativa oil group). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in the heart tissues were significantly reduced in the cyclosporine A group compared to control values. Nigella sativa oil treatment caused an increase in the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px compared to the control group. Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide and protein carbonyl (PC) levels were increased in the cyclosporine A-treated group in comparison with the control and N. sativa groups. Co-administration of N. sativa oil and cyclosporine A abrogated the cyclosporine A-induced MDA, N. sativa oil and PC increase compared to the cyclosporine A group. The results of our study show that pre-treatment with N. sativa oil reduced the subsequent cyclosporine A injury in rat heart, demonstrated by normalized cardiac histopathology, decrease in lipid peroxidation, improvement in antioxidant enzyme status and cellular protein oxidation.     

Hematological studies on black cumin oil from the seeds of Nigella sativa L

The methanol soluble portion of black cumin oil, which is prepared by compression of seeds of Nigella sativa L., showed inhibitory effects on arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation and blood coagulation. By bioactive assay of AA-induced platelet aggregation, the methanol soluble part was purified to isolate a new compound 2-(2-methoxypropyl)-5-methyl-1,4-benzenediol (1) and two known compounds, thymol (2), carvacrol (3), having very strong inhibitory activity. Further, we then examined the isolated compounds (1-3) and eight related compounds by the screening test for AA-induced platelet aggregation. Compounds possessing aromatic hydroxyl and acetoxyl group had more potent activity than aspirin, which is well known as a remedy for thrombosis.     

Antiepileptogenic and antioxidant effects of Nigella sativa oil against pentylenetetrazol-induced kindling in mice

Nigella sativa oil (NSO), a herbaceous plant, has been used for thousands of years for culinary and medical purposes. This study aimed to investigate the anticonvulsant and antioxidant activities of NSO on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) kindling seizures in mice. Nigella sativa oil was tested for its ability (i) to suppress the convulsive and lethal effects of PTZ in kindled mice (anti-epileptogenic effect), (ii) to attenuate the PTZ-induced oxidative injury in the brain tissue (antioxidant effect) when given as a pretreatment prior to each PTZ injection during kindling acquisition. Valproate, a major antiepileptic drug, was also tested for comparison. Both substances studied significantly decreased oxidative injury in the mouse brain tissue in comparison with the PTZ-kindling group. Nigella sativa oil was found to be the most effective in preventing PTZ-induced seizures relative to valproate. Nigella sativa oil showed anti-epileptogenic properties as it reduced the sensitivity of kindled mice to the convulsive and lethal effects of PTZ; valproate was ineffective in preventing development of any of these effects. The data obtained support the hypothesis that neuroprotective action of NSO may correlate with its ability to inhibit not only excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation but also seizure generation.     

黑种草子油改善药物性肾损害作用机制的研究进展

黑种草（Nigella）,属毛茛科,为一年生草本植物,原产于地中海地区和北非,我国新疆、西藏和云南也有种植。作为药用的黑种草主要有3种,分别是瘤果黑种草（Nigella glandulifera）、果黑种草（Nigella sativa）和黑种草（Nigella damascena）。黑种草的种子（以下简称"黑种草子"）含有多种成分,包括生物碱、皂苷、不饱和脂肪酸、挥发油等,具有抗氧化、抗炎等药理作用。黑种草子很早就被用于多种疾病的治疗,如哮喘、头痛、糖尿病等。近几年发现黑种草子油通过减少药物蓄积、抗氧化、抗炎、抗凋亡和抗纤维化对药物性肾损害也有改善作用。笔者对近年来有关黑种草子油改善药物性肾损害的作用机制做一综述,为进一步的开发利用提供参考。     

Antinociceptive effects of Nigella sativa oil and its major component, thymoquinone, in mice

The antinociceptive effects of Nigella sativa oil and its major component, thymoquinone, were examined in mice. The p.o. administration of N. sativa oil (50-400 mg/kg) dose-dependently suppressed the nociceptive response in the hot-plate test, tail-pinch test, acetic acid-induced writhing test and in the early phase of the formalin test. The systemic administration (2.5-10 mg/kg, p.o. and 1-6 mg/kg, i.p.) and the i.c.v. injection (1-4 microgram/mouse) of thymoquinone attenuated the nociceptive response in not only the early phase but also the late phase of the formalin test. Naloxone injected s.c. (1 mg/kg) significantly blocked N. sativa oil- and thymoquinone-induced antinociception in the early phase of the formalin test. Moreover, the i.c.v. injection of naloxone (10 microgram/mouse), the mu(1)-opioid receptor antagonist, naloxonazine (1-5 microgram/mouse), or the kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine (1-5 microgram/mouse), significantly reversed thymoquinone-induced antinociception in the early phase but not the late phase of the formalin test, whereas the delta-opioid receptor antagonist, naltrindole (1-5 ng/mouse, i.c.v.), had no effect on either phase. The antinociceptive effect of morphine was significantly reduced in thymoquinone- and N. sativa oil-tolerant mice, but not vice versa. These results suggest that N. sativa oil and thymoquinone produce antinociceptive effects through indirect activation of the supraspinal mu(1)- and kappa-opioid receptor subtypes.     

The radioprotective effect of Nigella sativa on nitrosative stress in lens tissue in radiation-induced cataract in rat

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and radioprotective effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) and thymoquinone (TQ) against ionizing radiation-induced cataracts in lens after total cranium irradiation (IR) of rats with a single dose of 5 gray (Gy).

Materials and methods: Seventy-four Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the experiment. The rats were randomly divided into six groups. Group A received total cranium IR plus NSO (1?g?kg^–1?d^–1) orally through an orogastric tube. Group B received total cranium IR plus TQ (50?mgkg^–1?d^–1) daily by intraperitoneal injection. Group C received 5?Gy of gamma IR as a single dose to total cranium plus 1?ml saline. Group D₁ just received 1?ml saline. Group D₂ just received dimethyl sulfoxide. Group D₃ did not receive anything.

Results: At the end of the 10th d, cataract developed in 80% of the rats in IR group only. After IR, cataract rate dropped to 20% and 50% in groups which were treated with NSO and TQ, respectively, and was limited at grades 1 and 2. Nitric oxide synthase activity, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite levels in the radiotherapy group were higher than those of all other groups.

Conclusions: The results implicate a major role for NSO and TQ in preventing cataractogenesis in ionizing radiation-induced cataracts in the lenses of rats, wherein NSO were found to be more potent.     

Nigella sativa L. oil protects against induced hepatotoxicity and improves serum lipid profile in rats

The effects of 4 weeks oral intake of Nigella sativa L. (NS) oil on some liver function tests and D-galactosamine- or carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated in male albino rats. In another series of experiments, the effect of the oil on serum lipid profile was examined in male spontaneously hypertensive rats of stroke prone strain and Wistar Kyoto rats. The study showed that daily administration of the oil per se (800 mg/kg orally for 4 weeks) did not adversely effect the serum transaminases (ALT and AST), alkaline phosphatase, serum bilirubin or prothrombin activity in normal albino rats. When the oil was given for 4 weeks prior to induction of hepatotoxicity by D-galactosamine or carbon tetrachloride, it was able to give complete protection against d-galactosamine and partial protection against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity. NS oil showed a favourable effect on the serum lipid pattern where the administration of the oil (800 mg/kg orally for 4 weeks) caused a significant decrease in serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides and a significant elevation of serum high density lipoprotein level.     

Protective effect of Nigella sativa L.to gastric mucous of indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer rats

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of Nigella sativa L.as gastric protective on indomethacin-induced rats.METHODS the design of this research is randomized post test control group design.The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups which 5 rats in each.Rats were fasted for 8h before treatment.The first group was a control group(only gave aquadest as vehicle orally).The second group was subjected to induced with indomethacin 30mg·kg-1.The rest groups were subjected to induced by indomethacin and methanolic extract of Nigella sativa L.200,300 and 400mg·kg-1 every 8h for 24 h,respectively,for third,fourth and fifth group.Rats were sacrificed after anesthetized with ketamine and gastric were washed before observed.Macroscopic observation based on a score of lesion and microscopic observation on gastric based by histological HE staining.Whole data were analysis of an ANOVA statistical program.RESULTS The administration of Nigella sativa L.significantly decreased gastric ulcer macroscopically starting at dose 100,200 and 300mg·kg-1(P<0.05).Microscopic observation showed significant decreasing at dose 200 and 300mg·kg-1(P<0.05).Interestingly,there was no significant different between control and dose 300mg·kg-1.Negative correlation between lesion and doses were-0.919,-0.953 for macroscopic and microscopic lesion respectively.It means there was strong correlation between dose and lesion,higher dose lesser lesion.The mechanism of gastric protective of NigellasativaL.may caused by the bioactive compound such as thymoquinone which known as antiinflammation and antioxidant.CONCLUSION Methanolic extract of Nigella sativa L.decreased peptic ulcer both macroscopic and microscopic conditions on indomethacin-induced rats.     

The antioxidative and antihistaminic effect of Nigella sativa and its major constituent, thymoquinone on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage

The aim of this study was to assess the possible protective effects of Nigella sativa (NS) and its constituent, thymoquinone (TQ) on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in an experimental model. Forty male rats aged four months were divided into four groups (each group containing ten animals); the control group received physiologic saline (10 ml kg⁻¹) and the ethanol group had taken 1 ml (per rat) absolute alcohol by gavage. The third and fourth groups also received NS (500 mg kg⁻¹) and TQ (10 mg kg⁻¹) by gavage 1 h before alcohol administration, respectively. Both drugs (NS and TQ) could protect the gastric mucosa against the injurious effect of absolute alcohol and promote ulcer healing as evidenced from the ulcer index values. Gastric damage was confirmed histomorphometrically by significant increases in the number of mast cells (MC) and gastric erosions in ethanol treated rats. The NS treatment significantly decreased the number of MC and reduced the area of gastric erosions. Likewise, TQ treatment was also able to reduce the number of MC and the gravity of gastric mucosal lesions, but to lesser extent compared to NS. Gastric tissue histamine levels and myeloperoxidase activities were found to be increased in ethanol treated rats, and NS or TQ treatment reversed these increases. Results obtained from this study suggest that both drugs, particularly NS could partly protect gastric mucosa from acute alcohol-induced mucosal injury, and these gastroprotective effects could be due to their antiperoxidative, antioxidant and antihistaminic effects.     

Evidence that the hypotensive action of methyldopa is mediated by central actions of methylnoradrenaline

Mean arterial blood pressure was recorded in conscious normotensive rats through indwelling arterial catheters. The effect of l -α-methyldopa (α-MD) (400 mg/kg, i.p.) was studied in animals pretreated with α-methyl-m-tyrosine (400 mg/kg i.p.) 27 and 15 h before α-MD, α-methyl-p-tyrosine methylester (H 44/68) (250 mg/kg, i.p.) 1 h before α-MD, and dl -α-hydrazino-α-methyl-β-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (MK 485, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min before α-MD. This pretreatment, which resulted in a severe depletion of endogenous catecholamines, did not alter the hypotensive effect of α-MD. The effect of α-MD (200 mg/kg, i.p.) was studied 30 min after pretreatment with the dopamine β-hydroxylase inhibitor, bis (4-methyl-l-homopiperazinyl-thiocarbonyl) disulphide (FLA-63) (25 mg/kg, i.p.). The hypotensive response to α-MD was completely abolished in these experiments. The formation of α-methylnoradrenaline from α-MD was prevented after FLA-63 but there was a significant increase in the amounts of α-methyldopamine formed.     

Radioprotection by Macerated Extract of Nigella sativa in Normal Tissues of Fibrosarcoma Bearing Mice

The current study was undertaken to study the effect of a macerated extract of Nigella sativa seeds in normal as well as in tumour bearing mice against gamma radiation-induced cellular damage to normal tissues. This was done to mimic the clinical setting where in, normal tissues of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy are exposed to the deleterious effects of radiation. The protection of cellular DNA was analysed in peripheral blood leucocytes of whole body irradiated mice following pretreatment with macerated extract of Nigella sativa seeds (100 mg/kg), using alkaline comet assay, and also estimating biochemical and blood parameters such as levels of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein oxidation in organs such as spleen, liver, brain and intestine haemoglobin and total leucocyte count, respectively. The results showed that the macerated extract of Nigella sativa seeds protected the liver, spleen, brain and intestines both in normal as well as tumour bearing mice. This study concludes that macerated extract of Nigella sativa seeds has protective effects against radiation-induced damage and biochemical alterations which could be attributed to the ability to scavenge free radicals and its antioxidant properties. Hence macerated extract of Nigella sativa seeds, could be used in combination with radiation to protect against oxidative stress in normal tissues and improving the quality of life of cancer patients by mitigating unwanted side effects of radiation in normal tissues.     

Isolation and structure assignment of an antimicrobial principle from the volatile oil of Nigella sativa L. seeds.

Refrigeration of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa L. seeds eventuates in a crystalline substance. The chemical structure of the compound was drawn from its chemical behaviour, as well as from its UV, IR, PMR and mass spectral data. The compound was found to be thymohydroquinone: confirmation of the structure was established via the preparation of its corresponding diacetate ester. The compound was found to have high antimicrobial effect against gram positive microorganisms     

Chemical composition and medicinal properties of Nigella sativa Linn.

The black cumin or Nigella sativa L. seeds have many acclaimed medicinal properties such as bronchodilatory, hypotensive, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and immunopotentiating and are universally accepted as a panacea. This review article has surveyed the relevant literature on Nigella sativa from 1960-1998 and examines the scientific evidence for these medicinal claims and highlights areas in need of research.     

Isolation and characterization of new compounds from seeds of Nigella sativa

Two new triterpenoids were isolated from the n-hexane extract of seeds of Nigella sativa Linn. and identified as cycloart-23-methyl-7,20,22-triene-3β,30-diol (1) and cycloart-3-one-7,22-diene-24-ol (2). In addition, two aliphatic compounds and two known sugars were isolated from alcohol extract, and identified as 4-hydroxy undecyl nonanoate (3), 14,20-dimethyl heptacosanol (4), maltose (5), and sucrose (6). They were characterized on the basis of spectral analysis and by comparing literature data. Extraction and transportation study of sugars were also investigated, which evaluated biological phenomena.