title: The radioprotective effect of Nigella sativa on nitrosative stress in lens tissue in radiation-induced cataract in rat.
abstract: 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).
  
  
  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.
authors: Department of Medical Biochemistry .
authors: Seyithan
authors: S
authors: Taysi
authors: Zainab Khaleel
authors: ZK
authors: Abdulrahman
authors: Seydi
authors: S
authors: Okumus
authors: Elif
authors: E
authors: Demir
authors: Tuncer
authors: T
authors: Demir
authors: Muslum
authors: M
authors: Akan
authors: Edibe
authors: E
authors: Saricicek
authors: Vahap
authors: V
authors: Saricicek
authors: Adnan
authors: A
authors: Aksoy
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Tarakcioglu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology*; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D015538:Nitrosation; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase
keywords: Cataract; Nigella sativa; free radical; irradiation; nitric oxide; nitrosative stress