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Protective Effects of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) Oil on TNBS-Induced Experimental Colitis in Rats

Digestive Diseases and Sciences volume 56, pages 721–730 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

The pathogenesis and treatment of ulcerative colitis remain poorly understood. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of black cumin (Nigella sativa) oil on rats with colitis.

Methods

Experimental colitis was induced with 1 mL trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in 40% ethanol by intracolonic administration with 8-cm-long cannula under ether anesthesia to rats in colitis group and colitis + black cumin oil group. Rats in the control group were given saline at the same volume by intracolonic administration. Black cumin oil (BCO, Origo “100% natural Black Cumin Seed Oil,” Turkey) was given to colitis + black cumin oil group by oral administration during 3 days, 5 min after colitis induction. Saline was given to control and colitis groups at the same volume by oral administration. At the end of the experiment, macroscopic lesions were scored and the degree of oxidant damage was evaluated by colonic total protein, sialic acid, malondialdehyde, and glutathione levels, collagen content, and tissue factor, superoxide dismutase, and myeloperoxidase activities. Tissues were also examined by histological and cytological analysis. Proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6], lactate dehydrogenase activity, and triglyceride and cholesterol levels were analyzed in blood samples.

Results

We found that black cumin oil decreased the proinflammatory cytokines, lactate dehydrogenase, triglyceride, and cholesterol, which were increased in colitis.

Conclusions

BCO, by preventing inflammatory status in the blood, partly protected colonic tissue against experimental ulcerative colitis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Biochemistry, Marmara University, Nisantası, 34365, Istanbul, Turkey

    F. Isik, Tugba Tunali Akbay, A. Yarat & Z. Genc

  2. Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Histology and Embryology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey

    R. Pisiriciler & E. Caliskan-Ak

  3. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey

    S. Cetinel

  4. Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey

    A. Altıntas

  5. Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey

    G. Sener

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  1. F. Isik
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Correspondence to Tugba Tunali Akbay.

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Isik, F., Tunali Akbay, T., Yarat, A. et al. Protective Effects of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) Oil on TNBS-Induced Experimental Colitis in Rats. Dig Dis Sci 56, 721–730 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-010-1333-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-010-1333-z

Keywords

  • Colitis
  • Nigella sativa
  • Inflammation
  • Tissue factor activity
  • Oxidant damage