Effects of Nigella sativa oil on ovarian volume, oxidant systems, XIAP and NF-kB expression in an experimental model of diabetes

Abstract

We investigated the effects of Nigella sativa oil on ovary volume, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappa B), X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) expression, and serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels in diabetic rats. We divided 21 adult female rats into three groups: controls, diabetics and diabetics + N. sativa oil. The diabetics + N. sativa oil group was given 0.2mg/kg/day N. sativa oil 6days/week for 4weeks. NF-kappa B and XIAP expression was assessed in ovarian sections using immunohistochemistry. The right and left ovary volumes were calculated using stereology. We also measured serum MDA, SOD, TAS and TOS levels. We found that N. sativa oil reduced hyperglycemia, but not to control levels. N. sativa oil also exhibited antioxidant properties as demonstrated by reduced serum TOS and MDA levels, and increased SOD and TAS levels compared to controls. We found no significant difference in total ovarian volume, XIAP or NF-kappa B expression among the groups, which may be due to the short study period. Our findings suggest that N. sativa oil may be useful for reducing blood glucose levels and elevated oxidant activity in diabetic patients.