Effects of Nigella Sative Oil, Thymoquine, Propolis, and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester on Radiation-Induced Cataract
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and radioprotective effects
of Propolis and Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), Nigella sativa oil (NSO) and Thymoquinone (TQ) against ionizing radiation-induced cataracts in lens after total cranium
irradiation of rats with single dose of 5 Gy gamma rays.
Methods
Seventy-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight groups
to test the radioprotective effectiveness of nigella sative oil, thymoquine, propolis or caffeic acid phenethyl ester administered by either orogastric tube or intraperitoneal injection. Appropriate control groups were also studied.
Results
Chylack’s cataract classification was used in the study. At the end of the 10th day, cataracts developed in 80% of the rats in radiotherapy group. After irradiation, cataract rate drop to 20% in NSO, 30% in Propolis, 40% in CAPE, and 50%in TQ groups which treated with these substances, respectively, and was limited at grade 1 and grade 2. Cataract formation was observed at least in NSO group, and at most in TQ group. Superoxide dismutase activity was lower in IR group while glutathione peroxidase, xanthine oxidase activities and malondialdehyde level in the IR group were higher in this group.
Conclusion
The findings obtained in the study might suggest that Propolis, CAPE, NSO
and TQ could prevent cataractogenesis in ionizing radiation-induced cataracts in the lenses
of rats, where in Propolis and NSO were found to be more potent.