Study on the effect of black cumin (Nigella sativa Linn.) on experimental renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of Black cumin (Nigella sativa Linn.) pre-treatment on renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced injury in the rats.


METHODS
A total of 40 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five equal groups including Sham, I/R model and three I/R+ Black cumin (0.5, 1 and 2%)-treated groups. I/R groups' kidneys were subjected to 60 min of global ischemia at 37°C followed by 24 h of reperfusion. At the end of reperfusion period, the rats were euthanized. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities as well as reduced glutathione and renal malondialdehyde contents were determined in renal tissues. Kidney function tests and histopathological examination were also performed.


RESULTS
High serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid as well as malondialhehyde (MDA) levels, and low antioxidant enzyme activities were observed in I/R rats compared to the sham rats. Pre-treatment with Black cumin for three weeks prior to IR operation improved renal function and reduced I/R induced renal inflammation and oxidative injury. These biochemical observations were supported by histopathological test of kidney sections.


CONCLUSIONS
Black cumin significantly prevented renal ischemia/reperfusion induced functional and histological injuries.
Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, IR.
Ghafour
G
Mousavi
D000818:Animals; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000032:analysis; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000097:blood; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
D028321:Plant Preparations; D014527:Uric Acid; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D003404:Creatinine; D010544:Peroxidases