Abstract

Protective Effects of Nigella Sativa (Black Seed) on Ischemia-Reperfusion Induced Myocardial Injuries

Author(s): Sura Mohammed Kadhim

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model of myocardial infarction injury may occur in a variety of clinical settings and this remains a significant probl em. Oxygen free radicals, produced on reperfusion have been shown to play a major role in I/R injury. Various therapeutic effects have been described for Nigella sativa. Additionally, it has been presented that Nigella sativa has protective effect against ischemia reperfusion injury to various organs. Therefore, it seems possible that the administration of Nigella sativa might protect the heart against th e ischemia reperfusion injury. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of Nigella sativa (black seed) in the ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model of myocardial infarction (MI). Thirty-six rats were divided into three groups as control (Group 1), I/R group (Group 2), and Nigella sativa treatment group (Group 3). All rats underwent ischemia. Thirty-six male Wistar rats weighting 200-230 g were used in this experimental study. All animals were maintained under standard conditions. Rats were deprived of food, but not water, for 24 h before surgery.Animals were divided into three groups, sham group (Group 1), ischemia (45 min)-reperfusion (60 min) I/R group (Group 2), and Nigella sativa (orientalis) oil treatment group (Group 3). All rats were anesthetized with 40-50 mg/Kg of thiopental sodium. Nigella sativa oil was given to the rats in treatment group, before ischemia and before reperfusion at a dose of 0.2 mL/Kg by intraperitoneal route. We chose the dose of this agent according to reported studies about I/R and Nigella sativa oil, as this dose has been shown to be effective in previous studies 14,15 . Rats in the I/R group were infused only with saline. The study showed that the Nigella sativa (orientalis) oil contain: glycosides, saponins, tannins, phenolic compounds, resins, alkaloids, proteins and flavonoids. The levels of GSH, SOD, GSHPx, CAT enzymes in treatment group were significantly higher than those in the group I/R, but MDA in treatment group were lower than in the I/R group. Our results suggest that Nigella sativa (black seed) treatment protects the rat heart against ischemia-reperfusion model of myocardial infarction (MI).