Effect of ground black seeds (Nigella sativa L.) on renal tubular cell apoptosis induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rats

Objective(s): The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ground black seeds on renal tubular cell apoptosis following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Materials and Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into ۵ equal groups including Sham, I/R model and three I/R+ black seeds (۵, ۱۰ and ۲۰%)-treated groups. I/R groups’ kidneys were subjected to ۶۰ min of ischemia followed by ۲۴ h of reperfusion. Microscopically, apoptosis of tubular cells was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) method. Results: The apoptotic cells of renal tubules were increased significantly (P<۰.۰۱) in I/R group than those in sham operation group. The TUNEL positive cells in black seeds (۱۰% and ۲۰%) treatment groups decreased significantly (P<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Inhibition of apoptosis may be responsible for the protective effects of black seeds in rats with renal I/R injury.

Keywords:

Apoptosis , Ischemia/Reperfusion , Kidney , Nigella Sativa , Rat