Protective effect of Nigella sativa oil on cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage in rat kidney

BackgroundNephrotoxicity is a severe complication in patients undergoing cisplatin (CP) chemotherapy. Previous studies in our lab have shown that administration of a single dose of CP results in decrease in the activities of brush border membrane (BBM) and free radical scavenging enzymes and induces oxidative stress in rat kidney. Nigella sativa, is one of the most revered medicinal plant known for its numerous health benefits. Nigella sativa seed/oil has been shown to improve kidney functions in animal models of acute kidney injury.ObjectiveThe present study was undertaken to investigate whether Nigella sativa oil (NSO) can prevent the CP-induced nephrotoxic effects.ResultsThe effect of NSO was determined on CP induced alterations in various serum parameters and on enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, BBM and antioxidant defense system in renal cortex and medulla. Administration of NSO (2 ml/kg bwt. orally), prior to and following a single dose CP treatment (6 mg/kg bwt. i.p), significantly attenuated the CP induced increase in serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and decrease in the activities of BBM enzymes in renal cortical and medullary homogenates as well as in isolated BBM vesicles (BBMV). NSO administration also precluded CP induced alterations in the activities of carbohydrate metabolism enzymes and in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant parameters. Histopathological observations showed extensive kidney damage in CP treated animals and remarkably reduced renal injury in CP and NSO co-treated group.ConclusionThe biochemical and histological data suggest a protective effect of NSO against CP-induced acute kidney injury.