EFFECTS STUDY OF NIGELLA SATIVA, ITS OIL AND THEIR COMBINATION WITH VITAMIN E ON OXIDATIVE STRESS IN RATS

Antioxidants or free radical scavengers are very important in protecting the living cells against any damage induced by free radicals. The effects of Nigella Sativa Extract (NSE), Nigella Sativa Oil (NSO) and Vitamin E (Vit. E) and the combination of NSE or NSO with Vit. E on potassium bromate (KBrO₃)-induced oxidative stress in male rats were investigated. Forty nine Sprague Dawley male rats were weighingv 185±5 g and 10-12 weeks old were used to achieve the present study. According to the results, oral administration of NSE or NSO alone and in combination with vitamin E exhibited weight gain and feed efficiency ratio and lowered the elevated serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, AST, ALT, urea nitrogen, uric acid and creatinine. Further, they lowered malondialdehyde and increased the reduction in glutathione content and activities of antioxidant enzymes (GPx, SOD and CAT) in liver tissues. Collectively, these results indicate that dietary intake of NSE or NSO alone and in combination with Vitamin E could be a potential therapeutic in the treatment of related diseases with oxidative stress."