Introduction: Nandrolone (ND) is one of the Anabolic-androgenic steroid widely used among athletes in doses that result in severe adverse effects on many organs specially heart. Nigella sativa oil and Omega-3 have antioxidant effect.
Aim of the Work: To evaluate the potential defensive effect of Nigella sativa oil and Omega-3 on Nandrolone-induced cardiac muscle histological changes in rats.
Materials and Methods: Forty adult male rats, were divided into four groups, Group I (control group). Group II; treated with ND only (10 mg/kg b.w.) 3 times per week injection for 6 weeks. Group III; treated with ND as group II and N. sativa oil orally (400 mg/kg b.w.) daily for 6 weeks. Group IV; treated with ND as group II and omega- 3 orally (400 mg/kg b.w.) daily for 6 weeks. Then cardiac muscle specimens prepared for histological and immunohistochemical studies by light and electron microscopes.
Results: Group II showed marked distortion, fragmentation, loss of cardiac muscle striation, inflammatory cellular infiltrations, significantly increased deposition of collagen fibers, interruption in intercalated disc. Significantly increased immuno- expressions of Caspase-3 and alpha –Smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) when compared to control group. Group III & IV that treated with either Nigella sativa oil or Omega-3 respectively showed improvement of the histological architecture of cardiac muscle and significantly decreased immune- expressions of Caspase-3 and alpha –Smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) when compared to group II.
Conclusion: Nigella sativa oil and Omega-3 could protect the heart from the injurious effect of ND. The results of Nigella sativa oil were better than Omega-3 at histological and immunohistochemical levels.