Authors : Mecit Yoruk , Turan Karaca and Sema Uslu
Abstract: This study investigated the effects of Nigella Sativa L. (NS) and Urtica Dioica L. (UD) on the number of Mast Cells (MCs) in Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated rats. A total of 35 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 equal groups. All groups, expect control group, were injected subcutaneously with 0.8 mL CCl4 per kg body weight twice a week for 45 days and then CCl4 + UD-treated, CCl4 + NS-treated and CCl4 + UD + NS-treated rats received a daily intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 mL kg 1 NS or/and 2 mL kg 1 UD oils for 45 days starting on day 46. Thymus, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were sampled, stained with 1% aqueous toluidine blue and examined microscopically. The thymus, spleen and lymph nodes of CCl4-exposed animals contained significantly increased numbers of MCs compared with control group, CCl4 + UD-treated, CCl4 + NS-treated and CCl4 + UD + NS-treated rats (p< 0.05). However, when exposed rats were also treated with UD, NS or UD + NS, a decrease in MCs was observed. These results demonstrate that UD and NS decrease the number of MCs induced by CCl4 in the lymphoid tissues of rats.
Mecit Yoruk , Turan Karaca and Sema Uslu , 2007. Effects of Nigella sativa L. and Urtica dioica L. On the Numbers of Mast Cells in the Thymus, Spleen and Mesenteric Lymph Nodes of Rats with Carbon Tetrachloride Toxicity . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 601-605.