Radioprotective Effect of Nigella Sativa Oil on Heart Tissues of Rats Exposed to Irradition

Abstract

Radiotherapy is an important treatment method for a wide variety of malignancies. Ionizing radiation (IR) is known to generate free radicals in irradiated tissues.¹ Mammalian cells have both enzymatic and non-enzymatic cleansing systems to remove reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), respectively.² An imbalance favoring the prooxidants and disfavoring the antioxidants, potentially leading to damage, has been called "oxidative stress."³ Efforts to reduce the toxicity of irradiation to normal tissues, organs, and cells have led to the investigation of cytoprotective agents.⁴ Many dietary components may have either direct antioxidant activity, such as flavonoids, melatonin, nigella sativa oil (NSO), and thymoquinone(TQ),⁵ or indirect antioxidant activity, such as zinc,⁶ manganese, and selenium.⁷ NSO is commonly known as 'black seed' and has strong antioxidant properties against oxidative damage.⁸ Many studies have reported that it has various pharmacological properties, including