Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201Opioid dependence and substitution therapy: thymoquinone as potential novel supplement therapy for better outcome for methadone maintenance therapy substitution therapy926928384810.22038/ijbms.2015.3848ENLiyana Hazwani Mohd AdnanFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), 20400, Kuala Terengganu,Terengganu, MalaysiaNor Hidayah Abu BakarFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), 20400, Kuala Terengganu,Terengganu, MalaysiaNasir MohamadInnovation and Research; FPSK, UniSZA, 20400, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, MalaysiaJournal Article20150120Methadone is widely being used for opioid substitution therapy. However, the administration of methadone to opioid dependent individual is frequently accompanied by withdrawal syndrome and chemical dependency develops. Other than that, it is also difficult to retain patients in the treatment programme making their retention rates are decreasing over time. This article is written to higlights the potential use of prophetic medicines,<em> Nigella sativa</em>, as a supplement for opioid dependent receiving methadone. It focuses on the potential role of <em>N. sativa </em>and its major active compound, Thymoquinone (TQ) as a calcium channel blocking agent to reduce withdrawal syndrome and opioid dependency.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201Black cumin (Nigella sativa) and its constituent (thymoquinone): a review on antimicrobial effects929938384910.22038/ijbms.2015.3849ENFatemeh ForouzanfarDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranBibi Sedigheh Fazly BazzazBiotechnology Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranHossein HosseinzadehPharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology Department, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranJournal Article20150120<em>Nigella sativa </em>seeds have wide therapeutic effects and have been reported to have significant effects against many ailments such as skin diseases, jaundice, gastrointestinal problems, anorexia, conjunctivitis, dyspepsia, rheumatism, diabetes, hypertension, intrinsic hemorrhage, paralysis, amenorrhea, anorexia, asthma, cough, bronchitis, headache, fever, influenza and eczema. Thymoquinone (TQ) is one of the most active constituent and has different beneficial properties. Focus on antimicrobial effects, different extracts of <em>N. sativa</em> as well as TQ, have a broad antimicrobial spectrum including Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria, viruses, parasites, schistosoma and fungi. The effectiveness of <em>N. sativa</em> seeds and TQ is variable and depends on species of target microorganisms. The present review paper tries to describe all antimicrobial activities that have been carried out by various researchers.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201The relaxant effect of Nigella sativa on smooth muscles, its possible mechanisms and clinical applications939949385010.22038/ijbms.2015.3850ENRana KeyhanmaneshTuberculosis and Lung Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranZahra GholamnezhadNeurogenic Inflammation Research Centre and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranMohammad Hossien BoskabadyNeurogenic Inflammation Research Centre and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran0000-0001-5736-9755Journal Article20150120<em>Nigella sativa</em> (<em>N. sativa</em>) is a spice plant which has been traditionally used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Different therapeutic properties including the beneficial effects on asthma and dyspnea, digestive and gynecology disorders have been described for the seeds of <em>N. sativa</em>. There is evidence of the relaxant effects of this plant and some of its constituents on different types of smooth muscle including rabbit aorta, rabbit jejunum and trachea. The relaxant effect of <em>N. sativa </em>could be of therapeutic importance such as bronchodilation in asthma, vasodilation in hypertension and therapeutic effect on digestive or urogenital disorders. Therefore in the present article, the relaxant effects of <em>N. sativa </em>and its constituents on smooth muscles and its possible mechanisms as well as clinical application of this effect were reviewed.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201Thymoquinone: an emerging natural drug with a wide range of medical applications950957385110.22038/ijbms.2015.3851ENMohannad KhaderDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Arab American University- Jenin, Jenin, PalestinePeter M EcklDivision of Genetics, Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, A-5020 Salzburg, AustriaJournal Article20150120<em>Nigella sativa</em> has attracted healers in ancient civilizations and researchers in recent times. Traditionally, it has been used in different forms to treat many diseases including asthma, hypertension, diabetes, inflammation, cough, bronchitis, headache, eczema, fever, dizziness and influenza. Experimentally, it has been demonstrated that <em>N. sativa</em> extracts and the main constituent of their volatile oil, thymoquinone, possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties. In this review we aimed at summarizing the most recent investigations related to a few and most important effects of thymoquinone. It is concluded that thymoquinone has evidently proved its activity as hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-cancer chemical, with specific mechanisms of action, which provide support to consider this compound as an emerging drug. Further research is required to make thymoquinone a pharmaceutical preparation ready for clinical trials.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201The protective effect of Nigella sativa against liver injury: a review958966385210.22038/ijbms.2015.3852ENHamid MollazadehDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranHossein HosseinzadehPharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranJournal Article20150120<em>Nigella sativa</em> (Family Ranunculaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant throughout the world. <em>N. sativa</em> is referred in the Middle East as a part of an overall holistic approach to health. Pharmacological properties of <em>N. sativa</em> including immune stimulant, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, spasmolytic and bronchodilator have been shown. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress are known as the major causes of many diseases such as liver injury and many substances and drugs can induce oxidative damage by generation of ROS in the body. Many pharmacological properties of <em>N.</em><em> sativa</em> are known to be attributed to the presence of thymoquinone and its antioxidant effects. Thymoquinone protects liver from injury via different mechanisms including inhibition of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, elevation in total thiol content and glutathione level, radical scavengering, increasing the activity of quinone reductase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione transferase, inhibition of NF-κB activity and inhibition of both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase. Therefore, this review aimed to highlight the roles of ROS in liver diseases and the mechanisms of <em>N. sativa</em> in prevention of liver injury.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201Cardio-protective and anti-cancer therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa967979385310.22038/ijbms.2015.3853ENHammad ShafiqDepartment of Food Technology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, 43600 PakistanAsif AhmadDepartment of Food Technology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, 43600 Pakistan
Corn, Soybean and Wheat Quality Labs., 205 Williams Hall, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691 USATariq MasudDepartment of Food Technology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, 43600 PakistanMuhammad KaleemDepartment of Food Technology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, 43600 PakistanJournal Article20150120<em>Nigella sativa</em> is the miraculous plant having a lot of nutritional and medicinal benefits, and attracts large number of nutrition and pharmacological researchers. <em>N. sativa</em> seed composition shows that it is the blessing of nature and it contains and many bioactive compounds like thymoquinone, α-hederin, alkaloids, flavonoids, antioxidants, fatty acids many other compounds that have positive effects on curing of different diseases. Several medicinal properties of <em>N. sativa</em> like its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antioxidant activities and many others are well acknowledged. However, this article focuses on activity of <em>N. sativa</em> against cardiovascular diseases and cancer. For gathering required data the authors went through vast number of articles using search engines like Science direct, ELSEVIER, Pub Med, Willey on Line Library and Google scholar and the findings were classified on the basis of relevance of the topic and were reviewed in the article. <em>N. sativa </em>is rich source of different biologically active compounds and is found effective in controlling number of cardiovascular diseases and various cancers both <em>in vivo</em> and <em>in vitro </em>studies.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201Alternative supplement for enhancement of reproductive health and metabolic profile among perimenopausal women: a novel role of Nigella sativa980985385410.22038/ijbms.2015.3854ENLatiffah Abdul LatiffDepartment of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, MalaysiaSaadat ParhizkarMedicinal Plants Research Centre, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences,Yasuj, IranMohammad Aziz DollahDepartment of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, MalaysiaSyed Tajuddin Syed HassanDepartment of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, MalaysiaJournal Article20150120<em>Objective(s):</em>The aim of this open label crossover study was to investigate the effects of <em>Nigella sativa</em> on reproductive health and metabolic profile of perimenopausal women in Rawang, Malaysia. <br/><em>Materials and Methods:</em>Sixty nine perimenopausal women aged 45 to 65 were allocated into the experimental group treated orally with 1600mg/day of encapsulated pure powdered <em>N. sativa</em> compared to control groups treated with placebo for 12 weeks. At the end of study, participants underwent washout period for fourteen days before being crossed over and continued for another cycle of treatment. Participants were abstained from taking any other drugs, herbal preparations or food supplements throughout the study. Body weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, biochemical parameters and hormonal levels were measured at baseline and at the end of experiment for both cycles. Face to face interview was carried out at baseline and every week to check for compliance, minimize dropouts and to record reproductive health and quality of life indicators using Greene climacteric and SF-36 instruments. <br/><em>Results:</em>The treatment groups in both cycles showed significant improvement with reference to low density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood glucose (<em>P</em><0.05). There were no significant differences between groups in total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein and triglyceride concentration. Treatment with<em> N. sativa </em>induced a significant reduction of prevalence and severity of menopausal symptomsas well as significant improvement in some components of quality of life (<em>P</em><0.05). <br/><em>Conclusion:</em> These results suggested that treatment with <em>N. sativa </em>exert a therapeutic and protective effect by modifying weight gain, improving lipid profile and blood glucose as well as hormonal level which is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome during menopause.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201Effect of Nigella sativa on ischemia-reperfusion induced rat kidney damage986992385610.22038/ijbms.2015.3856ENShahrzad HavakhahDepartment of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranHamid R SadeghniaPharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranMosa-Al-Reza HajzadehNeurocognitive Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranNama Mohammadian RoshanDepartment of Pathology, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranSomayeh ShafieeDepartment of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranHossein HosseinzadehPharmaceutical Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranNarges MohareriDepartment of Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranAbolfazl Khajavi RadNeuroinflammation Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran0000-0001-7046-1134Journal Article20150120<em>Objective(s):</em>There are a few previously reported studies about the effect of <em>Nigella</em><em> sativa</em> oil on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis whether pre- or post-treatment with <em>N. sativa</em> hydroalcoholic extract (NSE) would reduce tissue injury and oxidative damages in a clinically relevant rat model of renal IRI. <br/><em>Materials and Methods:</em> IRI was induced by clamping of bilateral renal arteries for 40 min fallowed by reperfusion for 180 min. NSE was prepared in a Soxhlet extractor and administrated with doses of 150 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg at 1 hr before ischemia induction (P-150 and 300) or at the beginning of reperfusion phase (T-150 and 300), via jugular catheter intravenously. The kidneys were then removed and subjected to biochemical analysis, comet assay or histopathological examination. <br/><em>Results:</em> The kidneys of untreated IRI rats had a higher histopathological score (<em>P</em><0.001), while in P-150, as well as T-150 and T-300 groups tubular lesions significantly decreased (<em>P</em><0.001). Pre- and post-treatment with NSE also resulted in a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) level (<em>P</em><0.001) and DNA damage (<em>P</em><0.001) that were increased by renal I/R injury. NSE treatment also significantly restore (<em>P</em><0.01) the decrease in renal thiol content caused by IRI. <br/><em>Conclusion:</em> The present study shows <em>N. sativa</em> extract has marked protective action against renal IRI, which may be partly due to its antioxidant effects.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201Combination of Nigella sativa with Glycyrrhiza glabra and Zingiber officinale augments their protective effects on doxorubicin-induced toxicity in h9c2 cells9931000385710.22038/ijbms.2015.3857ENAzar HosseiniPharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran0000-0002-5842-6157Reza Shafiee-NickPharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranSeyed Hadi MousaviPharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranJournal Article20150120<em>Objective(s):</em>The use of doxorubicin (DOX) is limited by its dose-dependent cardio toxicity in which reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) play an important role in the pathological process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of three medicinal plants, <em>Nigella sativa</em> (N), <em>Glycyrrhiza glabra</em> (G) and <em>Zingiber officinale </em>(Z), and their combination (NGZ), against DOX-induced apoptosis and death in H9c2 cells. <br/><em>Materials and Methods:</em> The cells were incubated with different concentrations of each extract or NGZ for 4 hr which continued in the presence or absence of 5µM doxorubicin for 24 hr. Cell viability and the apoptotic rate were determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium (MTT) and propidium iodide (PI) staining assays, respectively. The level of ROS and lipid peroxidation were measured by fluorimetric methods. <br/><em>Results:</em> Treatment with doxorubicin increased ROS generation, enhanced malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, and induced apoptosis. Co-treatment of the cells with each herb extract increased viability of cells dose-dependently with a maximum protection effect of about 30%, and their potencies were N>G>Z. The combination of the threshold dose of each extract (NGZ) produced a similar effect, which was increased dose-dependently to a maximum protection of 70%. These effects were correlated with the effects of NGZ on ROS and MDA. <br/><em>Conclusion:</em> All of the extracts have some protective effects against DOX-induced toxicity in cardiomyocytes with similar efficacies, but with different potencies. However, NGZ produced much higher protective effect via reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting of apoptotic induction processes. Further investigations are needed to determine the effects of NGZ on DOX chemotherapy. Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201In vitro lethal effects of various extracts of Nigella sativa seed on hydatid cyst protoscoleces10011006385910.22038/ijbms.2015.3859ENHossein MahmoudvandResearch Center for Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran
Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranArash AsadiDepartment of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences Kerman, IranMajid Fasihi HarandiResearch Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranFariba SharififarDepartment of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranSareh JahanbakhshResearch Center for Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran
Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranEbrahimm Saedi DezakiResearch Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranJournal Article20150120<em>Objective(s): </em>There are several scolicidal agents for inactivation of hydatid cyst protoscolices during surgery, but most of them are associated with adverse side effects such as sclerosing cholangitis and liver necrosis. The present study was aimed to evaluate scolicidal effects of various extracts of<em> Nigella sativa</em> seeds againstprotoscoleces of hydatid cyst in an <em>in vitro</em> model. <br/><em>Materials and Methods:</em> Protoscoleces were aseptically aspirated from naturally infected livers of sheep and goats. Various concentrations of the different extracts of <em>N. sativa</em> (5 to 50 mg/ml) were used for 5 to 60 min. Viability of protoscoleces was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. <br/><em>Results: </em>The findings exhibited that methanolic extract at the concentration of 50 mg/ml after 10 min of incubation, and aqueous extract at the concentration of 50 mg/ml after 30 min of incubation can kill 100% of protoscoleces. In addition, all of experiments revealed dose-dependent and also time-dependent scolicidal effect of various extracts of <em>N. sativa</em> on the protoscoleces of hydatid cyst. <br/><em>Conclusion: </em>The results of the present study demonstrated that <em>N. sativa </em>may be a natural source for the production of new scolicidal agent for use in hydatid cyst surgery. However, further studies will be required to evaluate scolicidal effects of <em>N. sativa </em>in the <em>in vivo</em> model.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201Neuroprotective effect of thymoquinone in acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity in Wistar rats10071011386010.22038/ijbms.2015.3860ENSoghra MehriPharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranMehran ShahiSchool of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IraBibi Marjan RazaviTargeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranFaezeh Vahdati HassaniSchool of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranHossein HosseinzadehPharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranJournal Article20150120<em>Objective(s):</em>Acrylamide (ACR) has broad applications in different industries. It also forms in food during heating process. Oxidative stress has a critical role in ACR-induced neurotoxicity in both <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> models; therefore, the aim of the current study was the evaluation of effects of thymoquinone, the main constituent of volatile oil from <em>Nigella sativa</em> seeds in ACR-induced neurotoxicity. <br/><em>Materials and Methods:</em> Male Wistar rats were treated with ACR (50 mg/kg IP) alone or with thymoquinone (TQ) (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg IP) for 11 days. Two protocols were used in this study, A: in this one TQ and ACR were used simultaneously, B: Administration of TQ was started 1 week before ACR treatment and continued during exposure to ACR. At the end of the treatment, behavioral index (gait score) was examined for rats. After that, rats were sacrificed and molondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation and glutathione (GSH) content were determined in cerebral cortex. <br/><em>Results:</em> Exposure to ACR led to severe gait abnormalities and treatment with TQ significantly decreased abnormalities. Level of MDA was elevated in cerebral cortex after exposure to ACR while TQ treatment significantly and in a dose-dependent manner reduced lipid peroxidation. Results clearly showed that there is no significant difference between two protocols of administration of TQ. <br/><em>Conclusion:</em> It suggests the neuroprotective effect of TQ in this model in part, may be because of due the antioxidant activity of this natural compound.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201Thymoquinone, the main constituent of Nigella sativa, affects adenosine receptors in asthmatic guinea pigs10121035386110.22038/ijbms.2015.3861ENLaleh PejmanDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranHasan OmraniDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranZahra MirzamohammadiDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranRana KeyhanmaneshTuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran0000-0002-6941-2690Journal Article20150120<em>Objective(s): </em>For determining the mechanism of anti-asthmatic effect of thymoquinone, this investigation evaluated the effect of thymoquinone in the presence of selective A<sub>2A </sub>and A<sub>2B </sub>adenosine receptor antagonists (ZM241385 and MRS1706, respectively). <br/><em>Materials and Methods: </em>Seventy guinea pigs were randomly divided to 7 groups; control (C), sensitized with ovalbumin (S), sensitized groups pretreated with thymoquinone (S+TQ), ZM241385 (S+Anta A<sub>2A</sub>), MRS1706 (S+Anta A<sub>2B</sub>), thymoquinone and antagonists (S+Anta A<sub>2A</sub>+TQ and S+Anta A<sub>2B</sub>+TQ). Thymoquinone and each of these antagonists with 3 mg/kg dose were injected i.p. on 10<sup>th</sup> day of sensitization protocol. Tracheal responsiveness (TR) to methacholine and ovalbumin (OA), and total and differential cell count in lung lavage fluid (LLF) in different groups were measured. <br/><em>Results: </em>Increased EC<sub>50</sub> and LLF neutrophil count and decreased TR to methacholine and OA, LLF eosinophil and basophil counts were observed in S+TQ group compared to S group (<em>P</em>P<0.05). Significant decrease in EC<sub>50 </sub>(<em>P</em><0.01), LLF neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte count (<em>P</em>P<0.01), LLF total WBC (<em>P</em><0.01) and eosinophil count (<em>P</em><0.001) were observed in S+A<sub>2A</sub> group compared to S+TQ group. There was significant increase in LLF eosinophil and monocyte counts in S+Anta A<sub>2B </sub>group compared with S+TQ group (<em>P</em>2A group, there was significant increase in LLF eosinophil (<em>P</em><0.001) and significant decrease in LLF neutrophil (<em>P</em><0.01) and monocyte (<em>P</em><0.001) counts compared with S+TQ group. <br/><em>Conclusion: </em>Thymoquinone affects adenosine receptors, which suggest that some of its anti-inflammatory effects may be mediated by these receptors.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201Effect of Nigella sativa fixed oil on ethanol toxicity in rats10201031386210.22038/ijbms.2015.3862ENHamed PourbakhshFood Control Laboratory, Food and Drug Administration, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranElahe TaghiabadiDepartment of Phamacodynamy and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranKhalil AbnousPharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranAlireza Timcheh HaririMedical Toxicology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranSayed Masoud HosseiniDepartment of Phamacodynamy and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranHossein HosseinzadehPharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranJournal Article20150120<em>Objective(s):</em>This study was planned to appraise the protective effect of <em>Nigella sativa </em>fixed oil (NSO) against subchronic ethanol induced toxicity in rats. <br/><em>Materials and Methods:</em> Studies were carried out on six groups of six animals each, including control (normal saline, gavage), ethanol (3 g/kg/day, gavage), NSO (0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 ml/Kg/day, IP) plus ethanol and NSO (0.5 ml/Kg/day, IP) groups. Treatments were continued for 4 weeks. <br/><em>Results:</em> According to data, treatment with NSO attenuated ethanol-induced increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues. Moreover, NSO improved the level of serum liver enzymes (including alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glutathione (GSH) content in liver and kidney tissues in ethanol-treated rats. Western blot analysis and quantitative real time RT-PCR showed that NSO treatment inhibited apoptosis stimulated by ethanol through decreasing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio (both protein and mRNA levels), cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8 and cleaved caspase-9 level in liver and kidney. <br/><em>Conclusion:</em> This study showed that NSO may have protective effects against hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity of ethanol by decreasing lipid peroxidation and inflammation and preventing apoptosis.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201Effect of ground black seeds (Nigella sativa L.) on renal tubular cell apoptosis induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rats10321035386310.22038/ijbms.2015.3863ENGhafour MousaviDepartment of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, IranDaryoush MohajeriDepartment of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran0000-0002-1635-081XJournal Article20150120<em>Objective(s): </em>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. <br/><em>Materials and Methods: </em>Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 5 equal groups including Sham, I/R model and three I/R+ black seeds (5, 10 and 20%)-treated groups. I/R groups’ kidneys were subjected to 60 min of ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Microscopically, apoptosis of tubular cells was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) method. <br/><em>Results: </em>The apoptotic cells of renal tubules were increased significantly (<em>P</em><0.01) in I/R group than those in sham operation group. The TUNEL positive cells in black seeds (10% and 20%) treatment groups decreased significantly (<em>P</em><0.05). <br/><em>Conclusion: </em>Inhibition of apoptosis may be responsible for the protective effects of black seeds in rats with renal I/R injury.Mashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-3866171220141201Contributors (Peer Reviewers)10361037386410.22038/ijbms.2015.3864ENJournal Article20150120