Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nigella sativa Oil Reduces Aluminium Chloride-Induced Oxidative Injury in Liver and Erythrocytes of Rats

  • Published:
Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study was planned to investigate the protective effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) supplementation against aluminium chloride (AlCl3)-induced oxidative damage in liver and erythrocytes of rats. Simultaneously, a preliminary phytochemical study was affected in order to characterize the bioactive components containing in the NSO using chemical assays. The antioxidant capacities of NSO were evaluated by DPPH assay. The results showed that NSO was found to contain large amounts of total phenolics, flavonoids and tannins. Twenty-four rats were equally divided into two groups, in which group A received standard diet, whereas group B treated daily with an oral gavage dose of 2 ml NSO/kg body weight. After 5 weeks pretreatment, both groups were divided again into two subgroups (A and B) of six animals each and treated for other 3 weeks. Therefore, subgroup A1 was served as a control which received standard diet, but subgroup A2 received AlCl3 (34 mg/kg bw mixed with food). Subgroup B1 received both AlCl3 and NSO; however, subgroup B2 received NSO only. Results showed that AlCl3 exhibited an increase in white blood cell counts and a marked decrease in erythrocyte counts and haemoglobin content. Plasma aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase activities and total bilirubin concentration were higher in AlCl3 group than those of the control, while albumin and total protein concentration were significantly lower. Compared to the control, a significant raise of hepatic and erythrocyte malondialdehyde level associated with a decrease in reduced glutathione content, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase, activities of AlCl3 treated rats. However, the administration of NSO alone or combined with AlCl3 has improved the status of all parameters studied. It can be concluded that AlCl3 has induced the oxidative stress, altered the biochemical parameters and the hepatic histological profile, but the supplementation of NSO has alleviated such toxicity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kumar V, Bal A, Gill K (2009) Susceptibility of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase to aluminium induced oxidative damage. Toxicology 255:117–123

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Guo C, Hsu GW, Chuang C, Chen P (2009) Aluminium accumulation induced testicular oxidative stress and altered selenium metabolism in mice. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 27:176–181

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. González MA, Roma M, Bernal C, Alvarez ML, Carrillo MC (2007) Involvement of oxidative stress in the impairment in biliary secretory function induced by chronic administration of aluminum to rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 116:329–348

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. González MA, Bernal CA, Mahieu S, Carrillo MC (2009) The interactions between the chronic exposure to aluminum and liver regeneration on bile flow and organic anion transport in rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 127:164–176

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. El-Demerdash FM (2004) Antioxidant effect of vitamin E and selenium on lipid peroxidation, enzyme activities and biochemical parameters in rats exposed to aluminium. J Trace Elem Med Biol 18:113–121

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Turkez H, Yousef MI, Geyikoglu F (2010) Propolis prevents aluminium-induced genetic and hepatic damages in rat liver. Food Chem Toxicol 48:2741–2746

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Yousef MI (2004) Aluminium-induced changes in hemato-biochemical parameters, lipid peroxidation and enzyme activities of male rabbits: protective role of ascorbic acid. Toxicology 199:47–57

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Newairy AS, Salama AF, Hussien HM, Yousef MI (2009) Propolis alleviates aluminium induced lipid peroxidation and biochemical parameters in male rats. Food Chem Toxicol 47:1093–1098

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Kaneko N, Takada J, Yasui H, Sakurai H (2006) Memory deficit in mice administered aluminum–maltolate complex. Biometals 19:83–89

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Mahdy KA, Farrag ARH (2009) Amelioration of aluminium toxicity with black seed supplement on rats. Toxicol Environ Chem 91:567–579

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Lukyanenko LM, Skarabahatava AS, Slobozhanina EI, Kovaliova SA, Falcioni ML (2013) In vitro effect of AlCl3 on human erythrocytes: changes in membrane morphology and functionality. J Trace Elem Med Biol 27:160–167

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Tacke F, Luedde T, Trautwein C (2009) Inflammatory pathways in liver homeostasis and liver injury. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 36:4–12

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Nazıroğlu M, Karaoğlu A, Orhan Aksoy A (2004) Selenium and high dose vitamin E administration protects cisplatin-induced oxidative damage to renal, liver and lens tissues in rats. Toxicology 195:221–230

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Nazıroğlu M, Kozlu S, Yorgancıgil E, Uğuz AC, Karakuş K (2013) Protective effects of rose oil (Rosa damascena Mill) vapor on depression-induced oxidative stress in rat brain. J Nat Med 67(1):152–158

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Messarah M, Amamra W, Boumendjel A, Barket L, Bouasla I, Abdennour C, Boulakoud MS, El-Feki A (2012) Ameliorating effects of curcumin and vitamin E on diazinon induced oxidative damage in rat liver and erythrocytes. Toxicol Ind Health 29:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  16. Mahmoud MR, El-Abhar HS, Salech S (2002) The effect of Nigella sativa oil against the liver damage induced by Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice. J Ethnopharmacol 79:1–11

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Yaman I, Balikci E (2010) Protective effects of Nigella sativa against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Exp Toxicol Pathol 62:183–190

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Krishnan N, Muthukrishnan S (2012) Effects of Nigella sativa seed extract on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats. J Acute Med 2:107–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Mohamadin AM, Sheikh B, Abd El-Aal AA, Elberry AA, Al Abbasi FA (2010) Protective effects of Nigella sativa oil on propoxur induced toxicity. Pest Biochem Physiol 98:128–134

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Cheikh-Rouhou S, Besbes S, Blecker C, Deroanne C, Attia H (2007) Nigella sativa L.: chemical composition and physicochemical characteristics of lipid fraction. Food Chem 101:673–681

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Bourgou S, Ksouri R, Bellila A, Skandran I, Falleh H, Marzouk B (2008) Phenolic composition and biological activities of Tunisian Nigella sativa L shots and roots. C Biol 331:48–55

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Wolfe K, Wu X, Liu RH (2003) Antioxidant activity of apple peals. J Agric Food Chem 51:609–614

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Blois MS (1958) Antioxidant determinations by the use of stable free radical. Nature 26:1199–1200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Yen GC, Chen HY (1995) Antioxidant activity of various tea extracts in relation to their antimutagenicity. J Agric Food Chem 43:27–32

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Zhishen J, Mengcheng T, Jianming W (1999) The determination of flavonoid contents in mulberry and their scavenging effects on superoxide radicals. Food Chem 64:555–559

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Julkunen-Tiitto R (1985) Phenolics constituents in the leaves of northern willows: methods for the analysis of certain phenolics. J Agric Food Chem 33:213–217

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Kokdil G, Tamer L, Ercan B, Ilcim A, Aras N, Atik U (2005) Effects of Nigella unguicularis fixed oil on blood biochemistry and oxidant/antioxidant balance in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 99:131–135

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Buege JA, Aust SD (1984) Microsomal lipid peroxidation. Methods Enzymol 105:302–310

    Google Scholar 

  29. Jollow DJ, Mitchel JR, Zamppaglione Z, Gillette JR (1974) Bromobenzene induced liver necrosis. Protective role of glutathione and evidence for 3,4-bromobenzene oxide as the hepatotoxic metabolites. Pharmacology 11:51–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Flohe L, Gunzler WA (1984) Analysis of glutathione peroxidase. Methods Enzymol 105:114–121

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Aebi H (1984) Catalase in vitro. Method Enzymol 105:121–126

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Asada K, Takahashi M, Nagate M (1974) Assay and inhibitors of spinach superoxide dismutase. Agric Biol Chem 38:471–473

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Bradford M (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for the quantities of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principale of protein binding. Anal Biochem 72:248–254

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Hould R (1984) Techniques d’histopathologie et de cytopathologie. Ed Maloine 19–21:225–227

    Google Scholar 

  35. Mariod AA, Ibrahim RM, Ismail M, Ismail N (2009) Antioxidant activity and phenolic content of phenolic rich fraction obtained from black cumin (Nigella sativa) seedcake. Food Chem 116:306–312

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Mahieu S, Millen N, Gonzelez M, Contini MDC, Elias MM (2005) Alteration of the renal function and oxidative stress in renal tissue from rats chronically treated with aluminium during the initial phase of hepatic regeneration. J Inorg Biochem 99:1858–1864

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Zhu Y, Li X, Chen C, Wang F, Li J, Hu C, Li Y, Miao L (2012) Effects of aluminium trichloride on the trace elements and cytokines in the spleen of rats. Food Chem Toxicol 50:2911–2915

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Farina M, Ratta LN, Soares FAA, Jardim F, Jacques R, Souza DO, Rocha JBT (2005) Haematological changes in rats chronically exposed to oral aluminium. Toxicology 209:29–37

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Salem ML (2005) Review: Immunomodulatory and therapeutic properties of the Nigella sativa L. seed. Int Immunopharmacol 5:1749–1770

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Meral I, Kanter M (2003) Effects of Nigella sativa L and Uritica sioica L on selected mineral status and haematological values in CCl4-treated rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 96:263–270

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Shrivastava S (2012) Combined effect of HEDTA and selenium against aluminium induced oxidative stress in rat brain. J Trace Elem Med Biol 26:210–214

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Nehru B, Anand P (2005) Oxidative damage following chronic aluminium exposure in adult and pup rat brains. J Trace Elem Med Biol 19:203–208

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Wu Z, Du Y, Xue H, Wu Y, Zhou B (2012) Aluminium induces neurodegeneration and its toxicity arises from increased iron accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Neurobiol Aging 33:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The present research was supported by the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Directorate General for Scientific Research and Technological Development through the Research Laboratory “Laboratory of Biochemical and Environmental Toxicology” Faculty of Sciences, University of Badji Mokhtar, Annaba, Algeria.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Badji Mokhtar, BP 12 Sidi Amar, Annaba, Algeria

    Ihcene Bouasla, Asma Bouasla, Amel Boumendjel & Mahfoud Messarah

  2. Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Badji Mokhtar, BP 12 Sidi Amar, Annaba, Algeria

    Ihcene Bouasla

  3. Laboratory of Animal Ecophysiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Badji Mokhtar, BP 12 Sidi Amar, Annaba, Algeria

    Cherif Abdennour & Mohamed Salah Boulakoud

  4. Laboratory of Animal Ecophysiology, Faculty of Sciences, Sfax, Soukra Road – Km 3.5, BP 802, 3018, Sfax, Tunisia

    Abdelfattah El Feki

Authors
  1. Ihcene Bouasla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Asma Bouasla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Amel Boumendjel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mahfoud Messarah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Cherif Abdennour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Mohamed Salah Boulakoud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Abdelfattah El Feki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mahfoud Messarah.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bouasla, I., Bouasla, A., Boumendjel, A. et al. Nigella sativa Oil Reduces Aluminium Chloride-Induced Oxidative Injury in Liver and Erythrocytes of Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 162, 252–261 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-014-0114-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-014-0114-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation