Effects of Nigella sativa oil on the cerebellum of earlyweaned Wistar rats

Weaning period is a vulnerable phase in which malnutrition can set in and this frequently results in loss of priceless mental abilities and occasionally, physical problems. The current study sought to determine if Nigella sativa oil (NSO) could protect Wistar rats against behavioural and biochemical alterations brought on by early weaning. Twelve rats pups were selected at random. Rats in the control group were weaned on Postnatal day (PND) 28, while the second and third groups (the early weaned (EW) groups) were weaned on PND 18. Following weaning, the second group (EW) were given standard rodent feed and the third group (EW + NSO) additionally received 25 ml/kg of Nigella sativa oil till the PND 35. On PND 33, the rats had open field tests to measure their exploratory and locomotor behavior, and their brains were excised on PND 35. For histochemical analysis, Cresyl Fast Violet, and Hematoxylene and Eosin stains were employed. Cerebellar tissue slices were also processed utilizing glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as oxidative stress markers. EW rats showed an increase in locomotor and exploratory behavior as well as a significant decline in cerebellum SOD, GPx, and MDA levels. EW + NSO rats showed lower locomotor and exploratory activity levels, higher levels of oxidizing enzymes, and lower MDA levels. These results show that NSO protected the cerebellum against oxidative stress-related damage that occurs following early weaning. In this investigation, oral mode of administration was used.

Key Words: Weaning, motor activity, Nigella sativa, oxidative stress, Pups, Early weaning