Effect of Nigella sativa on pancreatic β-cell damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Nigella sativa (NS) is a spice plant belonging to the family Ranunculaceae [9]. It is a medical plant that contains black seeds and has been used as a natural remedy for a variety of illness. Nigella sativa L. contains greater than 30% of fixed oil and 0.40-0.45% (w/w) of volatile oil [10]. Volatile oil has been shown to have bronchodilator [10], antibacterial [11], diuretic, hypotensive [12], immunomodulatory [13], anti-inflammatory [14], antitumor [15], antidiabetic [16-18], and antiulcerogenic [19] effects. BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Nigella sativa (NS) is a medical plant used as a natural remedy for a variety of illness. Aim of the studyThe aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of NS on pancreatic β-cell damage and serum levels of glucose and insulin in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and to correlate these effects with the immunohistochemical changes. Materials and methodsForty-five male albino rats were used in this study. The animals were divided into three groups: group I (control), group II (diabetic), and group III (diabetic with NS). Diabetes was induced in group II and III animals by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ, 40mg/kg. Group III animals were given NS oil (0.2ml/kg/day) intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. Five rats from each group were sacrificed 2 days, and 2 and 4 weeks after STZ injection. Blood samples were collected for detection of serum glucose and insulin levels. Paraffin sections of the pancreas were prepared and stained with H&E stain and immunohistochemical stain using anti-insulin antibody. ResultsAfter STZ injection, the pancreatic islets appeared shrunken and showed degenerative changes and negative or weak positive insulin immunoreactivity. The serum level of insulin was decreased with elevation in the serum glucose concentration. NS injection improved the morphology of the islets, which nearly reverted to their normal size and structure with increased insulin immunoreactivity. NS also increased the lowered insulin and decreased the elevated glucose concentrations. Conclusion NS has a protective effect on pancreatic β-cell damage and improves serum levels of insulin and glucose in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Black Seed Thymoquinone Improved Insulin Secretion, Hepatic Glycogen Storage, and Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Male Wistar Rats

“…The increment in pancreatic islet immunostained area % by NSO treatment in the diabetic rats, as a result of its antioxidant effect, was in agreement with the findings of Omar and Atia [ 38 ] and Widodo et al [ 64 ]. The improvement of insulin immunoreactivity as well as pancreatic islet morphology and diameter could elucidate the upregulation of serum insulin level and the decrease in FBG, thus improving hyperlipidemia in diabetic rats.…”

“…Numerous plant extracts and compounds from these extracts are known to possess antidiabetic properties that could be used in the remedy of diabetes mellitus [ 11 , 37 ]. Nigella sativa thymoquinone is considered as an antioxidant and hypoglycemic compound that could counteract the high cost and the adverse effects of pharmacological drugs [ 38 ], which confirms the antidiabetic effects of NSO.…”

Protective and therapeutic effects of natural products against diabetes mellitus via regenerating pancreaticβ‐cells and restoring their dysfunction

“…There was seen a moderate positive insulin immunoreactivity in the islet cells. The treatment resulted in an increased insulin level and decreased the elevated glucose concentrations (Omar & Atia, 2012). The leaves of Sansevieria trifasciata are widely used by Sabah community in Malaysia to control hyperglycemia.…”

Therapeutic Effects of Canagliflozin and Zinc Sulphate Alone and in Combination on Pancreatic Histology in Type-2 Diabetic Rat Model

“…Similar findings were reported in the recent works using the rat model of STZ induced diabetes. 13,14 After the administration of zinc for four weeks, there was some reversal of these histopathological changes in the pancreatic sections of the rats of group C. A significant restoration of the size of islets as well as the reversal of karyolysis and ballooning degeneration was observed on histopathological examination, whereas no significant difference was observed in the number of islets with zinc treatment. These results resemble those of another study in which zinc supplementation given to STZ-induced diabetic rats was associated with significant rejuvenation of the islets histology.…”