Protective effect of Nigella sativa against carbon tetrachlorideinduced acute liver injury in experimental rabbit models

Abstract

Acute liver injury is a serious state of extensive damage of liver tissue caused by various reasons. In traditional medicine, certain medicinal plants have been used to cure and prevent some liver diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of oil extract of Nigella sativa seeds in rabbit models with induced acute liver injury. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was used to induce hepatotoxicity at a dose of 1.25 ml/kg as a mixture with olive oil. N. sativa oil extract was administered at a dose of 0.2 ml/kg/day orally for 7 days. The hepatoprotective effect was assessed by liver function tests and histopathological sections of the liver. Significant reduction in the liver damage was found in animals treated with the extract, as indicated by low levels of serum enzymes, serum bilirubin and improvement of serum protein. Besides, restoration of hepatocellular architecture was evident, as indicated by the presence of normal hepatic vessels, absence of necrosis, and fatty infiltration. The oil extract of N. sativa seeds showed significant hepatoprotective activity. Key words: Black cumin, hepatocellular architecture, nigellone, thymoquinone