Khadijeh Moradbeygi - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,Iran
Mohsen Parviz - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,Iran
Aman Zargaran - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,Iran
Hossein Rezaeizadeh - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,Iran
Mohammad Ali Sahraeian - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,Iran
Shima Mehrabadi - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,Iran

Background and Aim : Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the major, immune-mediated, demyelinating neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Nigella sativa (NS) has been suggested to have antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seeds (2.8 g/kg body weight) on weight change and behavioral dysfunctions in the cuprizone toxic model of demyelination.Methods : In this experimental study, young adult male C57Bl/6 mice (N=30, at 8 weeks of age) with average bodyweight of 22/5-30gr were divided into three groups: Control, MS and treatment group (MS+Nigella Sativa). C57BL/6J mice were fed a chaw containing 0.2 % cuprizone for 6 weeks and received a daily oral administration of N. sativa after the appearance of the first demyelination signs in corpus callosum until the end of the experiment. The presence of demyelination in the corpus callosum of cuprizone-treated mice was evaluated using Luxol Fast Blue (LFB) staining of formalin-fixed sections.Results : Body weights of the mice were measured weekly throughout the experimental period. After 1 week of cuprizone administration, the treated animals had lost 5/01% body weight, while animals on a normal diet had gained 5.75%. The differences between the control and the treated mice were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Over the next several weeks treated animals regained some weight. Treated animals had an overall increase of 14.83% in body weight with respect to initial values while control animals achieved a 21/7% increase (ANOVA treated animals versus controls, P< 0.001). To evaluate the effect of Nigella sativa on motor impairment, the behavior of mice was assessed by open-field test (OFT) and pole test at the end of the 6th week of experiment. All groups were assessed by open-field test for distance moved and movement velocity. Animals (each group, n=8) were placed in an open-field box, and locomotion was tracked over a 3-min period. Nigella sativa enhanced distance moved and movement velocity in mice affected by cuprizone compared to the MS group (P < 0.01). Pole test was used to assess the locomotors coordination of mice. After the end of the 6th week, each mice was placed tenderly head up facing the apex of the vertical pole. The time taken to reach the bottom of the pole after climbing over (touchdown time) was recorded for analysis. The cut off time was 60 seconds for touchdown time. In every test, two consecutive trials were conducted and the average time of two trials was recorded. Pole test showed that CPZ feeding increased the time spent on touchdown (P < 0.01), which was significantly shortened by N.Sativa treatment compared to the CPZ group (P < 0.01).Conclusion : These results showed that administration of Nigella sativa improved motor behavior deficits and weight loss that induced by cuprizone diet.

Nigella sativa; Cuprizone Model;Multiple Sclerosis