Effect of Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) on Compact Bone of Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a pandemic metabolic disease having several bone complications. Nigella sativa (NS) might have a role similar to insulin in diabetes and might be useful in treatment of diabetic osteoporosis. Aim of the Work: This work aimed to clarify changes of the compact bone of streptozotocin induced diabetic adult male rats and the possible role of nigella sativa. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male rats were used. They were divided into four groups: Control; NS treated; diabetic and diabetic with NS. On sacrifice, blood samples were drawn to determine serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level. Both femora of each animal were processed for radiological, histological, immunohistochemical and morphometrical studies. Results: Diabetic rats showed highly significant decrease in body weight and serum ALP level. Radiologically, femora of diabetic rats showed decreased bone density, bone softening and cortical thinning. Histologically, there was degeneration of osteoblasts and osteocytes, multiple osteoporotic cavities, decreased collagen fibers and irregularity of bone surfaces. Morphometrically, there was a highly significant decrease in osteoblast number. Immunohistchemically, there was a negative expression of osteopontin protein in bone matrix. Treatment of diabetic rats with NS resulted in improvement of body weight, biochemical, radiographical, histological, morphometrical and immunohistochemical pictures. Conclusion: Diabetes could lead to osteoporosis which might increase incidence of bone fractures. NS which is a cheap, available natural plant could ameliorate diabetic changes of bone. So it could be considered as a curative measure of diabetic osteoporosis.