The Possible Protective Role of Nigella Sativa Oil and Vitamin E Against Radiation in Adult Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Background: The potential application of ionizing radiation in medical practice and also, the potential accidental exposure to radiation enhanced the development of effective radio modifier. The aim of this work was to evaluate the possible protective role of individual and combined administration of Nigella sativa (NS) and vitamin E against the toxic effects of single 6 Gray (Gy) dose of gamma radiation on adult male albino rats Material and methods: ninty adult male albino rats were equally divided into 9 groups: Group SI: (-ve control), group SII (+ve control), group SIII: each rat was exposed to a single dose of radiation 6 Gy, group IV: each rat was gavaged orally with 0.6 ml NS dissolved in one ml distilled water once daily 5days/week, group SV: each rat was gavaged100 mg\kg vitamin E dissolved in one ml corn oil once daily 5days/week, group SVI: each rat received both vitamin E and NS orally in the same doses once daily for 5 days/week, group SVII: each rat received NS oil for 5days/week daily. At the 3 rd day, each rat was exposed to a single radiation in the previous doses, group SVIII: each rat received vitamin E daily for 5days/week, at the 3 rd day each rat was exposed to a single radiation in the same previous doses, group SIX: each rat received both vitamin E and NS daily for 5days/week. At the 3 rd day each rat was exposed to a single radiation in the previously mentioned doses. After 15 days from last exposure, rats of each group were submitted to estimation of complete blood count (CBC) and oxidative stress parameters, then the rats were sacrificed. The spleen and bone marrow of all rats were dissected and subjected to histopathological examination. Results: There was a significant deterioration in all measured parameters in irradiated group (group III). Upon supplementation with individual and combined NS and vitamin E before radiation, there were significant improvements in these measured parameters when compared with irradiated group. The histopathological changes in the spleen, in the form of white pulp depletion and multiple areas of hemorrhage. Bone marrow affection was also noticed, denoted by marked depletion of bone marrow tissue. Administration of individual and combined NS and vitamin E to irradiated rats induced an improvement, represented by the regression of the histopathological changes that occurred after radiation exposure. Biochemical and histopathological improvement in combined NS and vitamin E administration was more significant than that of individual NS and vitamin E administration. Recommendation: More efforts are needed to explore efficient natural combined radio protectors to limit deleterious effect of radiation.