Physiology and Anatomy

The present study was conducted to evaluate wound healing potential of Nigella sativa L. oil extract on induced skin wounds in animal model. The present experimental study was conducted at animal house of Isra University from May to August 2013. A sample of 30 male rabbits was divided into three groups; Group 1. (n=10) controls, Group 2. (n=10) treated with Bacitracin powder and Group 3. (n=10) treated with Nigella sativa (NS) oil extract. The skin of rabbits was shaved after anesthetized with 1% xylocaine subcutaneously. The wound size was observed on days 4, 8 and 12. The tissue samples were embedded in paraffin, and stained with H&E and Masson`s trichrome staining for microscopy. Data was analyzed on SPSS 21.0 using ANOVA and post-Hoc Duncan`s test. Significant p-value was defined at ?0.5. The controls (Group 1) wounds showed severe inflammatory response compared with Bacitracin (Group 2) and NS (Group 3) L. oil extract groups. The animals showed significant differences in wound size days 4, 8 and 12 days among groups (p<0.001) except for controls and Bacitracin groups on 8th day (p=0.06). The wounds in NS group showed abundant robust granulation tissue formation and accelerated wound healing. The Bacitracin group also showed better wounds compared to controls. The microscopy revealed marked vascularity and collagen fibers in NS group compared to either. It can be concluded form present study that the NS oil extract has wound healing potential as indicated by gross wound size and histological findings of skin wound in rabbit model.

To investigate the effect of Garlic extract on hematological parameters and blood lipid profile in albino rat model. Experimental/Analytical study Place and Duration: Animal House, Isra University Hyderabad from May to November 2013. Sixty adult albino rats were divided into four groups; Group I. controls received 0.9% isotonic saline, Group II. Received garlic extract orally (100 mg/kg), Group III. Received garlic extract orally (200 mg/kg) and Group IV. Received the garlic extract (300 mg/kg) for 30 days. Blood samples were collected for hematological analysis and plasma lipids. The data was analyzed on Statistix 8.1 (USA) using one-way ANOVA, Bonferroni and Chi-square tests. A p-value of ?0.05 was taken statistically significant. The hematological and plasma lipids fractions showed significant differences between the controls, and experimental garlic groups at different doses (p=0.001). The hemoglobin, packed cell volume, red and white cell counts, and platelets were raised in garlic extract groups particularly in high doses of 300mg/kg. The differential white blood cell counts also revealed significant differences. The plasma lipids showed a reduction in total cholesterol, LDL-c and a rise in HDL-c levels. (p=0.001). The garlic extract influences hematological parameters in albino rats and reduces plasma lipids fractions which may be protective against cardiovascular disease.