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Effect of black cumin (Nigella sativa) on cadmium-induced oxidative stress in the blood of rats

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey

    Mehmet Kanter & Omer Coskun

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Zonguldak, Turkey

    Ahmet Gurel

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  1. Mehmet Kanter
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  2. Omer Coskun
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Kanter, M., Coskun, O. & Gurel, A. Effect of black cumin (Nigella sativa) on cadmium-induced oxidative stress in the blood of rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 107, 277–287 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:107:3:277

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:107:3:277

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