Nigella sativa Seeds Protective Ability in Pyrazinamide Induced Hyperuricemia in Mice

Introduction: Hyperuricemia results in an increased level of blood uric acid, a prerequisite of gout. Commonly prescribed agents for the treatment of hyperuricemia include allopurinol, febuxostat, and probenecid. Multiple adverse effects like hypersensitivity, gastrointestinal upsets and hepatotoxicity limit their use. Aims & Objectives: To evaluate the serum uric acid lowering effects of Nigella sativa seeds on pyrazinamide induced hyperuricemia in mice. Place and duration of study: This study was carried out at research facility for animals of NIH, Islamabad and Pharmacology Department of Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi from April to June, 2017. Material & Methods: Sixty-eight male mice (Swiss Albino) were separated into four groups. Group A mice were labelled as negative control and mice in this group were given chow & glucose water. Group B mice received 500mg/kg Pyrazinamide (PZA) added in glucose water once daily. Group C mice were given low dose Nigella sativa seeds powder in a dose of 500 mg/kg suspended in the glucose water accompanied by PZA in a dose of 500mg/kg. The mice in group D received high dose of Nigella Sativa seeds powder 1000 mg/kg suspended in glucose water along with 500mg/kg of PZA. All the doses of Pyrazinamide and Nigella sativa seeds suspension were given orally for six weeks. Blood sample was collected three times from each group. On day 0, sample from two mice from each group was taken for baseline uric acid levels and of five mice from all groups in mid of study to check uric acid levels. On 42nd day, the blood from remaining 10 mice in each group was taken to check the serum uric acid levels. Analysis of data was done using Graph Pad Prism Version 8, p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Acute pyrazinamide administration caused a rise in uric acid levels in group B as compared to group A (from 5.94±1.94 to 28.03±15.52 mg/dl). The Nigella sativa seed powder extract suspended in glucose water in a dose of 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg reduced the rise in uric acid levels in pyrazinamide treated group C and D (10.47±3.32 mg/dl & 7.53±1.78 mg/dl). Conclusion: Nigella sativa possesses antihyperuricemic effect and showed a significant reduction in serum uric acid levels in a dose of 500mg and 1000 mg/kg.