Effect of Nigella sativa on ischemia-reperfusion induced rat kidney damage

Abstract

<em>Objective(s):</em>There are a few previously reported studies about the effect of <em>Nigella</em><em> sativa</em> oil on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis whether pre- or post-treatment with <em>N. sativa</em> hydroalcoholic extract (NSE) would reduce tissue injury and oxidative damages in a clinically relevant rat model of renal IRI. <br/><em>Materials and Methods:</em> IRI was induced by clamping of bilateral renal arteries for 40 min fallowed by reperfusion for 180 min. NSE was prepared in a Soxhlet extractor and administrated with doses of 150 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg at 1 hr before ischemia induction (P-150 and 300) or at the beginning of reperfusion phase (T-150 and 300), via jugular catheter intravenously. The kidneys were then removed and subjected to biochemical analysis, comet assay or histopathological examination. <br/><em>Results:</em> The kidneys of untreated IRI rats had a higher histopathological score (<em>P</em><0.001), while in P-150, as well as T-150 and T-300 groups tubular lesions significantly decreased (<em>P</em><0.001). Pre- and post-treatment with NSE also resulted in a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) level (<em>P</em><0.001) and DNA damage (<em>P</em><0.001) that were increased by renal I/R injury. NSE treatment also significantly restore (<em>P</em><0.01) the decrease in renal thiol content caused by IRI. <br/><em>Conclusion:</em> The present study shows <em>N. sativa</em> extract has marked protective action against renal IRI, which may be partly due to its antioxidant effects.