Journal of Basic Research in Medical Sciences

en Effects of 8-Week Aerobic Training with Nigella Sativa Extract on Neurotrophic Factors, Tissue Damage, and Muscle Weakness in a Multiple Sclerosis Cuprizon Model Using Male C57BL/6 Mice Physiology Physiology پژوهشي Research <div style="text-align: justify;">Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, inflammatory, chronic, and progressive disease targeting neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to myelin sheath and axonal damage. Regular physical activity is recognized as a complementary and moderating treatment for MS. Nigella sativa is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. Materials & Methods: Sixty-four adult male C57BL/6 mice (20-26 grams) were randomly divided into eight groups. MS was induced by adding 0.2% cuprizone to rodent food powder. The 8-week training program involved forced treadmill running (15-20 meters/minute), six days a week, twice a day, with 15-minute sessions and a minimum 2-hour interval. Balance was assessed using repeated measurements, BDNF levels through immunohistochemistry, and memory/spatial learning using the Morris blue maze test. Results: After 8 weeks, BDNF increased in the experimental (37.69±2.04), Nigella sativa (34.96±1.84), and combined groups (43.17±3.2), with a significant difference between the Nigella sativa group and the others (P< 0.05). Clinical examination showed zero scores for sham, NS, EX, and NS+EX groups, indicating no movement disorders or limb weakness. In the Cuprizone group, scores increased, while treatment groups (Cup+NS, Cup+EX, and Cup+NS+EX) demonstrated a significant decrease compared to the Cup group (P< .05). Conclusion: Nigella sativa and aerobic training appear to delay MS onset, reduce symptom severity, and contribute to the repair of damaged myelin areas, emphasizing their potential as therapeutic interventions. The condensed text is now approximately 249 words.</div> Aerobic training, Nigella sativa, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Demyelination, Multiple sclerosis 33 42 http://jbrms.medilam.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-645-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Aziz Zinvand Lorestani aziz.zinvand@gmail.com 10031947532846007518 10031947532846007518 No Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran Rahim Mirnasouri mirnasuri.r.@lu.ac.ir 10031947532846007519 10031947532846007519 Yes Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran Masoud Rahmati rahmati.mas@lu.ac.ir 10031947532846007520 10031947532846007520 No Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran Marzieh Darvishi marzidarvish@yahoo.com 10031947532846007521 10031947532846007521 No Anatomical Sciences Department, School of medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran