THE EFFECT OF CAROB (CERATONIA SILIQUA L.) AGAINST NICOTINE BASED OXIDATIVE STRESS

OBJECTIVE: In this study the antioxidant effect of carob plant, ıt's effects of nicotine-induced oxidative stress and the number of pyramidal cells in the rat hippocampus in cornu ammonis (CA) were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the study, 28 adult Wistar Albino male rats were used. Rats are divided into four groups as control group, carob group, nicotine group and nicotine + carob group. Nicotine was applied to the experimental group, and carob extract was applied to the treatment group as well as nicotine. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), total oxidant capacity (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAS) values were measured by spectrophotometric analysis on the lung, brain, kidney, heart and liver tissues. Oxidative stress index (OSI) and GSH / GSSG values, respectively, were calculated as TOS/TAS and GSH/GSSG rates. The number of pyramidal cells in the CA was estimated using the optical fractionator technique. RESULTS: It is seen that the TAS level in the kidney tissue of the nicotine group is significantly lower than the control and carob groups. In brain tissue, the TAS level of the nicotine group was significantly lower than that of other groups (p<0.001). The OSI value of the nicotine group was significantly higher in liver tissue compared to the control group (p<0.001). Nicotine exposure has been shown to cause a significant reduction in the number of pyramidal cells in CA. CONCLUSIONS: It is understood that Carob plant is an important phytomedical plant that has antioxidant properties against nicotine by increasing TAS level in oxidative stress formation.