Protective role of Nigella sativa against experimentally induced type-II diabetic nuclear damage in Wistar rats

Aim: To identify the anti-mutagenic effect of Nigella sativa on the experimentally induced chronic diabetes (type – II) in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The anti-mutagenic effect was evaluated in Nigella sativa treated diabetic rats against the streptozotocin nicotinamide (STZ-NA) (at a dose rate of 45-110 i.p mg/kg b.wt for 90 days) induced type-II diabetes mellitus using bone marrow micronucleus tests. The antioxidant status was tested by estimating the serum levels of lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase. Results: Our results indicated that diabetic rats treated with Nigella sativa decreased the frequency of micronuclei in the erythrocytes of bone marrow (P < 0.05) and enhanced the antioxidant status (P < 0.05) in the treated diabetic rats as compared to controls. Conclusion: The observations indicated that the diabetic patients are more prone to cell mutations which are related to the level of cellular oxidative status and it could be reduced by Nigella sativa.