Background: Plant bioactive chemicals have a wide range of pharmacological properties that are thought to be advantageous in the treatment and prevention of a variety of diseases, including hypercholesterolemia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Nigella Sativa (NS) and Lipidum Sativum (LS) seeds on periodontal ligament (PL) status and alveolar bone (AB) of hypercholesterolemia (HC) rats.
Materials and methods: 40 rats were randomly divided into four main equal groups and classified as follow: group I: negative control. Group II: HC rats. Group III: HC rats treated with NS seed. Group IV: HC rats treated with LS seed. Rats were euthanized and the jaws of rats were detached for evaluation of PL and AB and processed for histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α).
Results: rats fed with hypercholesteremic diet showed a significant increase (P-≤0.001) in total serum cholesterol compared to normal and both treated groups that reflect on the histopathologic condition of PL and alveolar bone showed massive degeneration of collagen fibers and alveolar bone in the HC group. While both treated groups showed more improvement in the condition of PL and alveolar bone. The immunohistochemical results showed a statistically significant decrease (P-≤0.001) in VEGF and an increase in (TNF-α) in HC group compared to both treated groups.
Conclusion: Both NS and LS were effective in decreasing total serum cholesterol and could be used as an adjunct to the standard anti hypercholesteremic drugs.