title: Effect of black cumin (Nigella sativa) on cadmium-induced oxidative stress in the blood of rats.
abstract: The protective effect of black cumin (Nigella sativa = NS) on cadmium-induced oxidative stress was studied in rats. The rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: A (conrol), B (Cd treated), and C (Cd + NS treated), each containing 10 animals. The Cd-treated and Cd + NS-treated groups were injected subcutaneously daily with CdCl2 dissolved in isotonic NaCl in the amount of 2 mL/kg for 30 d, resulting in a dosage of 0.49 mg Cd/kg/d. The control group was injected with only isotonic NaCl (2 mL/kg/d) throughout the experiment (for 30 d). Three days prior to induction of CdCl2, the Cd + NS-treated group received a daily intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 mL/kg NS until the end of the study. Cd treatment increased significantly the malondialdehyde levels in plasma and erythrocyte (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively) and also increased significantly the antioxidant levels (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) (p<0.05) compared to the control group. Cd + NS treatment decreased significantly the elevated malondialdehyde levels in plasma and erythrocyte (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively) and also reduced significantly the enhanced antioxidant levels (p<0.05). Cd treatment increased significantly the activity of iron levels (p<0.05) in the plasma compared to the control group. Cd + NS treatment decreased the activity of iron levels (p<0.05) in the plasma compared to the Cd-treated group. In the control group with no treatment, histology of erythrocytes was normal. In the Cd-treated group, there were remarkable membrane destruction and hemolytic changes in erythrocytes. In the Cd + NS-treated group, these changes were less than in the Cd-treated group. Our results show that N. sativa exerts a protective effect against cadmium toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanter
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Coskun
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gurel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001671:Biochemistry / Q000379:methods; D002104:Cadmium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006461:Hemolysis; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002104:Cadmium; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase