Effect of Nigella Sativa on Biochemical Changes in Doxorubicin- induced Nephrotoxicity in Albino Rats

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the protective effects of Nigella Sativa on biochemical changes in the kidney of Albino rat treated with Doxorubicin. Methodology: This experimental study was undertaken in April 2015 for a duration of 05 weeks at BMSI, JPMC. Forty Albino rats were divided into four groups, ten animals in each group. Group-A was taken as control. Group-B was treated with Doxorubicin (DOX). Group-C was given doxorubicin and Nigella Sativa (NS), and Group-D was treated with Nigella Sativa only. At the end of the study, the serum urea and creatinine levels were measured. Results: The mean values (mg/dl) of serum urea and creatinine levels in group-A and B were 23.40±3.07, 0.61±0.059, 85.50±7.93, and 1.06±0.071 respectively. There was highly significant increase in the mean values of serum urea and creatinine levels in group-B when compared with group-A. Further, the mean values (mg/dl) of serum urea and creatinine levels in group-C were 56.10±6.87 and 0.96±0.087 respectively, which showed highly significant increase when compared with group-A, and significant decrease when these values were compared with group-B. The mean values (mg/dl) of serum urea and creatinine levels in group-D were 25.01±3.39 and 0.67±0.057 respectively. There was insignificant increase when these values were compared with group-A, and highly significant decrease when compared with the groups-B and C. Conclusion: This study concludes that Doxorubicin induced biochemical changes can be minimized by the administration of aqueous powder of Nigella Sativa. The free radical scavenging effects of Nigella Sativa might be attributed to the presence of flavonoid, alkaloids and steroids which are powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.