Neuroprotective effects of chloroform and petroleum ether extracts of Nigella sativa seeds in stroke model of rat

Abstract

PURPOSE:Stroke still remains a challenge for the researchers and scientists for developing ideal drug. Several new drugs are being evaluated showing excellent results in preclinical studies but when tested in clinical trials, they failed. Many herbal drugs in different indigenous system of medicine claim to have beneficial effects but not extensively evaluated for stroke (cerebral ischemia).AIM:The present study was undertaken to evaluate chloroform and petroleum ether extract of Nigella sativa seeds administered at a dose of 400 mg/kg, per orally for seven days in middle cerebral artery occluded (MCAO) rats for its neuroprotective role in cerebral ischemia.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion for two hours followed by reperfusion for 22 hours. After 24 hours, grip strength, locomotor activity tests were performed in different treatment groups of rats. After completing behavioral tests, animals were sacrificed; brains were removed for the measurement of infarct volume followed by the estimation of markers of oxidative stress.RESULTS:Both chloroform and petroleum ether extracts-pretreated rats showed improvement in locomotor activity and grip strength, reduced infarct volume when compared with MCAO rats. MCA occlusion resulted in the elevation of levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), while a reduction in the levels of glutathione (GSH) and antioxidant enzymes viz. superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels were observed. Pre-treatment of both extracts of Nigella sativa showed reduction in TBARS, elevation in glutathione, SOD, and catalase levels when compared with MCAO rats.CONCLUSION:The chloroform and petroleum ether extract of Nigella sativa showed the protective effects in cerebral ischemia. The present study confirms the antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and anti-inflammatory properties of Nigella sativa already reported.

Neuroprotective study ofNigella sativa-loaded oral provesicular lipid formulation:in vitroandex vivostudy

“…Pretreatment of NS6 showed improvement in grip strength when compared with MCAO rats (p50.001) ( Table 4). Our findings were in agreement with already reported observations and results (Abdulhakeem et al, 2006;Akhtar et al, 2008Akhtar et al, , 2012Akhtar et al, , 2013Pratap et al, 2011).…”

“…NS6 produced reduction in TBARS levels when compared to that of MCAO (p50.001) ( Table 5). This was in agreement with our earlier reports which showed that MCA occlusion followed by reperfusion increased TBARS formation in rats (Pratap et al, 2011;Akhtar et al, 2012Akhtar et al, , 2013.…”

“…There was a significant decrease in GSH levels in MCA occluded rats. Large number of reports stated that oxidative stress decreases GSH levels (Abdulhakeem et al, 2006;Akhtar et al, 2008Akhtar et al, , 2012Akhtar et al, , 2013Pratap et al, 2011). Pretreatment of NS6 formulation showed elevation of GSH levels as compared to MCA occluded rats; thus, confirming its antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties.…”

A review of Neuropharmacology Effects ofNigella sativaand Its Main Component, Thymoquinone

“…The chloroform and petroleum ether extracts of N. sativa also have protective effects in cerebral ischemia by progressing in locomotors activity and grip strength which confirmed the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects of N. sativa . Both extracts reduced glutathione, SOD, and catalase levels (Akhtar et al ., ). Furthermore, TQ‐loaded nanoparticles had a good potential effect for drug delivery to brain by intranasal usage.…”

Study of Enhanced Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Nigella Sativa in Topical Nanoformulation

“…Nigella sativa Essential oil (EO) and its main active constituent, thymoquinone (Tq), are extensively reported to exhibit protective effects against many diseases largely attributable to their high antioxidant activity [2,3]. Thymol, thymoquinone (Tq), thymoquinone, and carvacrol which are found in the Nigella sativa EO have been used in various therapies including as an analgesic [4], antioxidant, anti-aging [5,6], and anticancer [7] agent and in Parkinsonism [8], Alzheimer's [9], stroke [10] and various neurological disorders. The anti-inflammatory property of these compounds have also been examined in various studies like induced rheumatoid arthritis in the rat, lung inflammation [11], eicosanoid generation in leukocytes [12] and carrageenaninduced paw edema [13].…”