Yasin Mahmoud Janloo - Student Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
Fatemeh Sadat Attari - Student Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
Sahar Roshan - Student Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
Hadi Lotfi - Leishmaniasis Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
Amir Hossein Pezeshki - Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Masoud Hosseinzadeh - Student Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
Batool Shakiba-Jam - Student Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
Marzieh Kafami - Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran

Objective: Studies have shown the complications of chemotherapy on learning and memory. Empirical evidence suggests that Nigella sativa (NS) has neuroprotective activities. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of NS on cisplatin-induced memory impairment.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on ۴۰ male rats grouped as: control (saline: ۲ ml/kg, intraperitoneally (IP), once weekly/۲ weeks), cisplatin (Cis, ۲ mg/kg, IP, once weekly/۲ weeks), NS (۲۰۰ mg/kg, IP, once weekly/۲ weeks), Cis +NS ۲۰۰ (۲ mg/kg Cis + ۲۰۰ mg/kg NS, IP, once weekly/۲ weeks), and Cis +NS ۴۰۰ (۲ mg/kg Cis + ۴۰۰ mg/kg NS, IP, once weekly/۲ weeks). Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to assess spatial learning and memory. In addition, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and thiol and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated in the brain.Results: Cis significantly enhanced the traveled distance and time spent in the target quadrant in the MWM test. Additionally, MDA levels increased in the Cis group, while thiol and SOD decreased in this group. As a result of treatment with NS, behavioral results were reversed in the groups receiving NS compared to the Cis group. Also, NS reduced MDA level but improved SOD and thiol levels in brain tissue samples.Conclusion: NS could improve memory impairment and oxidative stress in animals receiving Cis. Therefore, NS could be used as a potential food supplement to prevent neurotoxicity in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Nigella Sativa, Cisplatin, Memory, Malondialdehyde, Superoxide Dismutase, Thiol