In Vivo Hepato-Nephroprotective Role of Nigella sativa Seed Extract Against Lead Nitrate [Pb(NO3)2] Induced Toxicity in Albino Mice

Abstract

In this study, toxic effects of lead nitrate [Pb(NO3)2] and the hepato-nephroprotective role of Nigella sativa seed extract (NSSE) against toxicity were studied in albino mice. For this aim, mice were randomly divided into six groups as: Group I treated with tap water, Group II: 300 mg kg-1 bw NSSE, Group III: 600 mg kg-1 bw NSSE, Group IV: 500 mg kg-1 bw Pb(NO3)2, Group V: 300 mg kg-1 bw NSSE+500 mg kg-1 bw Pb(NO3)2, Group VI: 600 mg kg-1 bw NSSE+500 mg kg-1 bw Pb(NO3)2. After experimental procedure the changes in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) levels of blood serum, glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of liver and kidney tissues were investigated. And also histopathological examinations of liver and kidney tissues were studied. At result, significant increases were observed in BUN, creatinine, ALT, AST levels of mice treated with Pb(NO3)2. GSH levels were decreased, MDA levels were increased in kidney and liver tissues after Pb(NO3)2 treatment. In histopathological examinations binucleated cell, karyomegaly, stellate cell and bilirubin pigment deposit were observed in liver tissue while hyaline cast, thickening of the basement membrane, albumonid content and inflammatory leukocytes were observed in kidney tissue in Group IV. NSSE treatment in Group V and VI was ameliorated the toxic changes in level of serum parameters, GSH and MDA levels and histopathological damages of tested tissues. As a result, it was determined that NSSE decreases hepato-nephrotoxicity with a dose dependent manner induced by Pb(NO3)2 and leads to an improvement associated with its components.