Nigella Sativa Improve Redox Homeostasis in Heart and Aorta of Diabetic Rat

Background: Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the development of diabetes complications. The present study investigated the effects of Nigella Sativa hydroalcholic extract on oxidative stress injuries of heart and aorta in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The animals were divided into six experimental groups; control, streptozotocin-diabetic, and diabetic rats treated with different doses of Nigella Sativa, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg or metformin, 300 mg/kg, by daily gavage for 6 weeks. Malondialdehyde, total thiol levels and also the activities of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase and catalase in aortic and cardiac tissues were evaluated. Results: The malondialdehyde levels were decreased in all treated groups compared to diabetic group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Thiol levels were increased in cardiac tissues of metformin and 100 mg/kg Nigella sativa groups compared to diabetic group (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). The activity of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase in aortic tissues of 100 and 200 mg/kg Nigella sativa groups was higher than control and diabetic groups (p < 0.001) and those of cardiac tissues in 200 and 400 mg/kg Nigella sativa groups were higher than diabetic and control group (p < 0.05). The activity of catalase in cardiac tissues of metformin, 100 and 400 mg/kg Nigella sativa groups was reduced compared to diabetic group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The results showed that chronic administration of Nigella Sativa in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats could decrease the oxidative stress in aortic and cardiac tissues.