Radioprotective effect of Nigella sativa Oil (NSO) against radiation-induced hepatic toxicity and haematological alteration in irradiated albino mice

In this study, an attempt was made to estimate to what degree Nigella sativa oil (NSO) could reduce the destruction produced by irradiation on the haematopoietic system, liver function and histopathological changes of liver tissues, and malondialdehyde MDA level in albino mice exposed to whole-body x-radiation.

the mice were divided into four different groups. Group I (negative control group) received deionized water. Group II (6 Gy group) was exposed to whole-body X-irradiation at 6 Gy. Group III (NSO) received NSO orally (10 ml/kg). Group IV (NSO+6 Gy) received NSO orally (10 ml/kg) for 5 days prior to irradiation.

The results of the group exposed to 6 Gy X-irradiation showed a decrease in red blood cell count, haemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (all with P ≤ 0.05), while for the group that received NSO before irradiation, all the mentioned parameters were ameliorated and shifted toward normal values. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzyme levels were showed to be affected: they both increased during irradiation in the (6 Gy) group and decreased in the (NSO + 6 Gy) group. Histopathological alterations were also observed when the liver was irradiated in the (6 Gy) group. However, the (NSO+6 Gy) group demonstrated a lowering of the incidence of histopathological changes in liver tissues.

it is clear that mice treated with NSO oil prior to X-irradiation had reduced alteration in the haematological parameters, hepatocyte lipid peroxidation and the histology of the liver.