Hippocampus plays a pivotal role in learning and memory formation. Subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus is the residence of neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) that can proliferate and differentiate into newborn mature neurons in sdulthood. This process is called adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Medications such as Temozolamide (TMZ) has been shown to give negative impact on neurogenesis. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on NPCs proliferation after TMZ treatment.

This was an experimental study with cross sectional design. Female adult mice (n=20) were housed in 4 groups : control (aquadest per oral (p.o) + NaCl 0,9 % intra peritoneal (i.p)); P0 (aquadest p.o + TMZ i.p); P1 (TMZ i.p + MJH 0,1 ml p.o) ; P2 (TMZ i.p + MJH 0,2 ml p.o.). TMZ was administered at week-2 until week-5, 3 times/week (3 consecutive days). Meanwhile, NSO was administered on week-1 until week-9. On week-6, Brdu was administered i.p to label the proliferating cells in the subgranular zone at that time point. At the end of experiment (week-9) the brains were prepared and stained with 3-3’ diaminobenzidine (DAB) to observe number of BrdU-positive cells. Ratio of  BrdU cells in each dentate gyrus area was used as parameter.

We found significant decreased in Brdu-positive cells density in TMZ-treated group compared to control, including the groups with NSO treatment. This study showed that TMZ has negative impact on neuronal precursor cells proliferation that cannot be overcome by NSO treatment.