Anti-ischemic Effect of Nigella sativa L. Seed in Male Rats

The anti-ischemic effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of nigella sativa l. seed wasstudied using a four-vessel occlusion model in rats. the ischemia was evaluated by optical andtransmission electron microscopy. after 20 min offorebrain ischemia, agents were administeredintraperitoneally after reperfusion. both extracts comprised an alkaloid. in ischemic rats, theaqueous (1 g/kg) and ethanolic (1.6 g/kg) extracts significantly reduced neural cell injuries inthe cal and ca3 regions of rat hippocampus. the ld50 values (mice, i.p.) of the aqueous andethanolic extracts were 1.69 glkg and 2.25 glkg, respectively. these results indicate that the n.sativa seed extracts could have a therapeutic effect against cerebral ischemia.