Antioxidant Effect of Nigella Sativa Oil on Hormonal and Oxidative Stress Markers in Thyroid Gland Induced by Chronic Toxicity of Potassium Bromate in Adult Male Albino Rats

Potassium bromate (KBrO3) has been classified as possible human carcinogen. Nigella sativa is a part of the Ranunculaceae family that grows naturally in many regions of the world. The present study was done to evaluate the possible ameliorative effect of nigella sativa oil against KBrO3-induced oxidative stress and hormonal dysfunction in thyroid gland in adult male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats were used to evaluate the ameliorative effect of nigella sativa oil on thyroid hormonal levels and activities of antioxidant enzymes(catalase) and lipid peroxidation (MDA). The results revealed that treatment with KBrO3 significantly reduced the levels of T3 and T4 and increased TSH levels. KBrO3 exposure in rats reduced the activities of antioxidant enzymes as catalase but increased lipid peroxidation MDA level. Co-administration of nigella sativa oil significantly improved these alterations with respect to hormonal levels, activities of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation close to those seen in control rats. It was concluded that nigella sativa oil can ameliorate oxidative damage and hormonal alterations induced by potassium bromate in thyroid gland in adult male albino rats, possibly through the antioxidant effects of its bioactive compounds.