Journal of Inflammation Research (Jul 2024)
The Protecting Role of Black Seed Oil and Its Nano-Formulation in LPS-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Mice: Evaluation of Oxidative Stress, Biochemical & Molecular Parameters
Abstract
Barakat M ALRashdi,1 Diaa Massoud,1 Hager K Rashwan,2 Shahenda Mahgoub,3 Nermeen Z Abuelezz,2 Ali M Nasr,4,5 Rami B Kassab,6 Hatem K Amin3 1Department of Biology, College of Science, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Biochemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt; 3Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt; 4Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Port Said University, Port Said, 42526, Egypt; 5Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Galala University, New Galala, 43713, Egypt; 6Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, EgyptCorrespondence: Hager K Rashwan, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology, P.O. Box, 77, Giza, 12572, Egypt, Tel +201066116240, Email [email protected]: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a medical concern that is accompanied by the rapid deterioration of kidney function. It can be triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of gram-negative bacteria as it activates a complicated immune response, resulting in widespread inflammation and potential organ dysfunction. Black seed oil (BSO) is rich in beneficial constituents and has been widely used owing to its nutritional advantages.Purpose: This research is aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of BSO and its nano-formulation on AKI induced by LPS. It also aimed to compare their anti-inflammatory activity with indomethacin, a known synthetic anti-inflammatory drug.Materials and Methods: Forty-eight mice were placed randomly into 8 groups. A single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 2.5 mg/kg B.W. of LPS was used to trigger inflammation, and pretreatment with BSO and its nano-formulation was at 0.2 mL/kg/day for 14 consecutive days. Indomethacin was used as a reference drug and its efficacy was tested alone or in combination with BSO at lower doses. Renal function was assessed using urea, creatinine, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). Also, oxidative and inflammatory markers were assessed by measuring levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4). Histopathological examination of the kidney tissues was also performed.Results: The study showed that BSO and its nano-formulation had anti-inflammatory effects comparable to or better than those of indomethacin. They greatly decreased the oxidative stress and inflammatory markers induced by LPS. Their protective effect against pathological alterations in kidney tissues was significantly noticed.Conclusion: BSO and its nano-formulation could be used as nephroprotective and anti-inflammatory supplements.Keywords: TLR-4, Nigella sativa, inflammation, nephrotoxicity, nanoparticles
