The investigation effect of black seed oil, thymoquinone, propolis and caffeic acide phenethyl ester on oxidant/antioxidant system in lens tissue in radiation-induced cataract in rats

In this study our aim was to examine the effect of black seed oil, thymoquinone (TQ), propolis and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on radiation-induced cataracts. We thougth that these substances might have a preventive effects radiation damage. We aimed to investigate that whether these subtances had protective effects on lens tissue damage cau? radiation on rats. Working groups included 8 sub-groups: 3 control, radiotherapy, TQ+radiotherapy, CAPE+radiotherapy, black seed oil+radiotherapy and propolis+radiotherapy. Cataracts in rats were evaluated by slit-lamp biomicroscope since the first day of our experiment. Except the control groups, a single dose of 5 Gy radiotherapy was applied to all groups in first day. At the end of the study, the animals were sacrificed and tissue samples were optained. Oxidant/antioxidant parameters were studied on these samples. Cataract was developed 80% in radiotherapy group. Cataract rate fell to 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% respectively and limited at degree 1 and 2 in group which TQ, CAPE, propolis, and black seed oil were given. In radiotherapy group, oxidant parameter such as malondialdehyde (MDA) level and xanthine oxsidase (XO) enzyme activities were increased significantly compared to all groups. In radiotherapy group, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities were determined lower then all other groups, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities were determined significantly higher. As a conclusion, cataract ratio was determined high in radiotherapy group, but low in other groups in which black seed oil, propolis, TQ, and CAPE were given after radiation. That result shows us that, these substances have a protective effect against radiation. As biochemically, in the radiotherapy group oxidant parameters optained higher than other groups show radical-damage of radiation. Decreasing of these parameters in groups which black seed oil, propolis, TQ and CAPE were given after radiation shows inhibitory effect of these substances against radical damage. However, surgery is the unique treatment of cataract, for clinic use of antioxidant substances such as black seed oil, propolis, TQ and CAPE to prevent or to delay ionizing radiation-induced cataract, further studies are needed.Key words: Radiotherapy, cataract, antioxidant, black seed oil, thymoquinone, propolis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester