Preventive effects of oral administration of Nigella sativa oil against smokeless tobacco induced toxicity and oxidative stress in the liver and kidney of allergic asthma induced rats

Purpose Studies carried out on the exposure to toxic metals from smokeless tobacco (ST) products and their health effects are limited compared to particulate metal inhalation toxicology. This study aimed to investigate the oxidative stress and cytotoxicity induced by ST, in the context of asthmatic pathology. Furthermore, we explored the preventive and ameliorating effects of oral administration of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) at a dose of 4 mL/kg/day in rats. Results Our results showed that ST clearly intensifies the oxidative stress state induced by Ova-challenge in rat. This has been shown by augmenting protein oxidation and by altering the non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant status. Besides, ST decrease the liver enzymes ASAT, ALAT, ALP, total proteins and albumin. Moreover, aggravation of inflammation and oxidative stress was demonstrated by the histopathological responses observed especially in the liver. Conclusion Our data indicate that acute concurrent exposure to allergen and ST enhances cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. In contrast, NSO administration has shown the recovery of the biochemical parameters in the liver and kidney, restoration of the antioxidant status, reduction in lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. Finally, NSO treatment improved the histopathological alterations in liver and kidney.