Bayir Y, Karagoz Y, Karakus E, Albayrak A, Sengul O, Can I, Yayla N, Kuskun U, Keles MS. Nigella sativa reduces tissue damage in rat ovaries subjected to torsion and detorsion: oxidative stress, proinflammatory response and histopathological evaluation. 1. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2012;74(1):41-9. Epub 2012 Mar 21.

Background: To evaluate biochemically and histopathologically the effects of nigella sativa (NS) in experimental ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat ovaries. Methods: Thirty-six female rats were divided into 6 groups: group I = sham operation; group II = 500 mg/kg NS + sham operation; group III = bilateral ovarian ischemia; group IV = 500 mg/kg NS + ischemia; group V = 3-hour period of ischemia + 3-hour reperfusion, and group VI: 3-hour period of ischemia + 500 mg/kg NS 2.5 h after the induction of ischemia + 3-hour reperfusion. At the end of ischemia, the bilateral vascular clips were removed, and 3-hour reperfusion was continued. IL-1?, IL-6, and TNF-? cytokine levels in serum, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined. Results: I/R increased the MDA level and MPO activity while significantly decreasing the SOD activity and GSH level when compared to the sham. The 500-mg/kg dose of NS before I/R reversed the trend in MDA levels, MPO activity, SOD activity, and GSH levels. Ischemia and I/R increased the serum levels of IL-1?, IL-6, and TNF-?, while the administration of NS decreased the serum levels of these cytokines. Conclusions: The administration of NS is effective in reversing tissue damage induced by ischemia and/or I/R in ovaries.