Nigella sativa oil attenuates neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease

Authors : Seyfullah Oktay Arslan, Fatma Uysal, Ayşegül Koç, Saliha Ayşenur Çam Özünlü

Pages : 317-327

Doi:10.17826/cumj.1588353

View : 128 | Download : 128

Publication Date : 2025-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Purpose: Alzheimer\\\'s disease (AD) is a progressive disease, characterized by the progressive deterioration of cognitive functions. Amyloid plaques formed by accumulation of Aβ peptides are typical of the disease. These peptides are known to trigger inflammatory processes and play a role in disease progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Nigella sativa oil in the rats with Alzheimer’s disease model made by bilateral intrahippocampal injection of Aβ1-42. Materials and Methods: Nigella sativa oil was administered to the rats by oral gavage from 7 days before to 10 days after the injection. Passive avoidance and Morris Water Maze were performed. At the end of the experiments, the hippocampus of the sacrificed animals was extracted for biochemical analysis. Results: Learning and memory decline induced by Aβ1-42 administration is reversed by 1 ml/kg, 2 ml/kg NS oil delivery. The increase in astrocytes and microglia activity in Alzheimer’s disease group was attenuated in all treatment groups except 0.5 ml/kg NS oil group. We found that the increase in proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α and IL-1β levels induced by injecting Aβ in the hippocampus was suppressed in treatment groups. Conclusion: According to our experimental findings, the positive effects of Nigella sativa oil on impaired learning and memory in Alzheimer\\\'s disease development may be due to the suppression of the excessive inflammatory response in the pathology of the disease.
Keywords : Alzheimer Hastalığı, Amiloid beta, Nigella Sativa yağı, Nöroinflamasyon, Sıçan

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