Nigella sativa Oil Attenuates 5-Fluorouracil-induced Oxidative Stress and Anxiety-like Behaviors in Rats
Oresanya M.E
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Ehiremen S.E
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Alabi A.O
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Adejinmi S.O
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Abdusalam M.K
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Adelakin L.A
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ben Carson(Snr.) College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Taiwo-Ola D.O
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ben Carson(Snr.) College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Banjo T.A
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Amballi A.A
Department of Chemical Pathology& Immunology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Shallie P.D
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Fakunle P.B *
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent known for its neurotoxic side effects, including oxidative stress and behavioral disturbances. This study investigated the neuroprotective potential of Nigella sativa oil (NSO), a natural antioxidant, against 5-FU-induced oxidative damage and anxiety-like behaviors in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control, 5-FU-treated, NSO-treated, and 5-FU + NSO co-treatment. 5-FU (20 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally for five consecutive days, while NSO (2 mL/kg) was administered orally for 14 days. Behavioral assessments were conducted using the Open Field Test and Elevated Plus Maze. Brain tissues were analyzed for oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).Rats treated with 5-FU displayed significant increases in anxiety-like behavior and MDA levels, alongside decreases in SOD, CAT, and GPx activities compared to controls. NSO co-treatment significantly reversed these changes, improving behavioral outcomes and restoring antioxidant enzyme activities. this resullt of this study shows Nigella sativa oil effectively mitigates 5-FU-induced oxidative stress and behavioral impairments in rats. These findings highlight its potential as a neuroprotective adjunct in managing chemotherapy-associated neurotoxicity.
Keywords: 5-Fluorouracil, Nigella sativa, oxidative stress, anxiety, neuroprotection, chemotherapy-induced toxicity