Shahrzad Havakhah - Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Hamid R Sadeghnia - Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mosa-Al-Reza Hajzadeh - Neurocognitive Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Nama Mohammadian Roshan - Department of Pathology, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Somayeh Shafiee - Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Hossein Hosseinzadeh - Pharmaceutical Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Narges Mohareri - Department of Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abolfazl Khajavi Rad - Neuroinflammation Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Objective(s):There are a few previously reported studies about the effect of Nigella sativa oil on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis whether pre- or post-treatment with N. sativa hydroalcoholic extract (NSE) would reduce tissue injury and oxidative damages in a clinically relevant rat model of renal IRI.    Materials and Methods: IRI was induced by clamping of bilateral renal arteries for ۴۰ min fallowed by reperfusion for ۱۸۰ min. NSE was prepared in a Soxhlet extractor and administrated with doses of ۱۵۰ mg/kg or ۳۰۰ mg/kg at ۱ hr before ischemia induction (P-۱۵۰ and ۳۰۰) or at the beginning of reperfusion phase (T-۱۵۰ and ۳۰۰), via jugular catheter intravenously. The kidneys were then removed and subjected to biochemical analysis, comet assay or histopathological examination. Results: The kidneys of untreated IRI rats had a higher histopathological score (P<۰.۰۰۱), while in P-۱۵۰, as well as T-۱۵۰ and T-۳۰۰ groups tubular lesions significantly decreased (P<۰.۰۰۱). Pre- and post-treatment with NSE also resulted in a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) level (P<۰.۰۰۱) and DNA damage (P<۰.۰۰۱) that were increased by renal I/R injury. NSE treatment also significantly restore (P<۰.۰۱) the decrease in renal thiol content caused by IRI. Conclusion: The present study shows N. sativa extract has marked protective action against renal IRI, which may be partly due to its antioxidant effects.

Comet assay, Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), Kidney, Nigella Sativa, Oxidative stress