Investigating the Effect of One Period of Nigella Sativa Nanocapsules Consumption on the Histopathological Structure and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels of the Lung Tissue of the Rats Exposed to Nicotine-Derived Nitrosamine Ketone

Cigarette smoke contains carcinogenic compounds, including nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK), which can activate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and increase the inflammation of the lung. Since the Nigella sativa plays an important role in treating cancer through the modification of cellular signaling pathways, the purpose of this study was determining the effect of a period of Nigella sativa nanocapsules consumption on the histopathological structure and VEGF levels of the lung tissue of the rats exposed to tobacco-derived nitrosamines ketone.
In this experimental study, 45 Wistar male and female rats with the average weight and standard deviation of 103.83±23.48 grams were randomly divided into five groups of control, saline, NNK, supplement, and supplement㓒. The NNK-induced groups received NNK subcutaneously once per week at a rate of 12.5 mg/kg/bw for 12 weeks. The supplement groups also received Nigella sativa nanocapsules for 12 weeks. Levels of VEGF in the homogenized lung tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparisons test were used to analyze the data
Exposure to NNK significantly increased VEGF levels compared to the saline group (p=0.001). Meanwhile, a period of Nigella sativa nanocapsules consumption significantly reduced the levels of VEGF in the supplement㓒 group compared to the NNK group (p=0.001).
Considering the findings, it seems that Nigella sativa nanocapsules consumption can be helpful in cigarette smoke-induced inflammation by reducing VEGF levels .