Zinc oxide nanoparticles induced pancreatic damage and the ameliorating role of nigella sativa in rats: histological, biochemical and immunohistochemical study

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are widely used in many fields as industry and medicine, but they have side effects on many organs including the pancreas. Nigella sativa has been demonstrated to be a new line of therapy due to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of the work is to detect complications of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the pancreas of the adult male rats and the possible protective role of nigella sativa. Division of 18 adult male albino rats was done equally into 3 groups. Control group: this group took 1ml saline by intra-peritoneal (IP) injection. ZnO-NPs-treated group: this group received a single (IP) injection of ZnO-NPs ZnO-NPs + Nigella sativa -treated group: this group received a single (IP) injection of ZnO-NPs + Nigella sativa aqueous extract 6 days per week for 30 days. These rats were sacrificed 30 days later. Blood glucose was determined in different situations of the experiment. The pancreas was also examined histologically and immunohistochemically (caspase3 & VEGF). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in the pancreatic tissue. ZnO-NPs led to an increase in levels of glucose &MDA and decreased SOD. Also, ZnO-NPs caused inflammation, degeneration and increased caspase 3 & VEGF immunostaining in the pancreas. The administration of nigella sativa improved the pancreatic histology and levels of glucose, MDA & SOD. Nigella sativa has an effective therapeutic role in treating pancreatic damage induced by ZnO-NPs.