The protective effect of Nigella sativa oil in the brain of the biliary obstructed rats

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Oxidative stress is one of the important mechanisms of jaundice induced encephalopathy.
The aim of this study was to examine the possible protective effect of Nigella
sativa (NS) seed oil against the oxidative stress of brain tissue induced by experimental
obstructive jaundice in rats.
BiliarY obstruction was performed in male Wistar albino rats by bile duct ligation and scission
(BDL). Intragastric NS oil (1 mg/kg p.o.) or saline was administered for 28 days. At the
end of the experiment, in the half of the rats the blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability was
evaluated by Evans blue (EB) extravasation. Other rats were decapitated and brain tissue
samples were obtained for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione
(GSH) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and Na+,K+-ATPase activities.
ChronIC biliary obstruction caused a significant increase in the BBB permeability which was
verified by EB extravasation while this effect was attenuated by NS oil treatment. On the
other hand, BDL-induced decrease in brain GSH level and Na+,K+-ATPase activity were elevated
back to control level in NS oil-treated BDL group. Increase in tissue MDA level, and
MPO activity due to BDL were also attenuated by NS oil treatment.
Our results suggest that NS oil treatment protects the brain from oxidative damage following
bile duct ligation in rats. This effect possibly involves the inhibition of neutrophil infiltration
and lipid peroxidation and the restoration of antioxidant status in the tissue. Accordingly,
supplementing cirrhotic patients with adjuvant therapy of NS oil may have some benefit
against hepatic encephalopathy.
KEYWORDS: Nigella, black cumin, bile duct, brain, edema

Keywords

• Nigella, black cumin, bile duct, brain, edemaThe protective effect of Nigella sativa oil

The protective effect of Nigella sativa oil in the brain of the biliary obstructed rats

Abstract

References

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