The effects of Nigella sativa on bile duct ligation induced‐liver injury in rats

Abstract

Nigella sativa (NS) has been shown to have antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities in different conditions. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of NS on cholestatic liver injury in rats. Thirty rats were recruited in the study as follows: Group 1, Bile duct ligation (BDL) (n = 10); Group 2, BDL plus NS (n = 10); and Group 3, Sham (n = 10). Bile duct ligated group received 0.2 mL kg(-1) dose of NS intraperitoneally daily throughout 14 days. Liver damage and cholestasis were determined by the biochemical and the pathologic examination. Data showed a decrease in gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities of the NS treated rats when compared with BDL group (p < 0.001 for GGT and p < 0.05 for others). The NS treated rats' tissue levels of total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were significantly lower than that of the BDL group (p < 0.01 for all). Increases in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and catalase (CAT) levels were statistically significant in the NS treated rats compared to BDL group (p < 0.01 for both). On the other hand, administration of NS in the rats with biliary obstruction resulted in inhibition of necro-inflammation. These results indicate that NS exerts a therapeutic effect on cholestatic liver injury in bile duct ligated rats possibly through attenuation of enhanced neutrophil infiltration and oxidative stress in the liver tissue.

Nigella sativa (black seed) effects on plasma lipid concentrations in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials

“…High doses of thymoquinone were found to induce hepatic oxidative stress in mice [101], but humans with solid tumors have tolerated a dose up to 2600 mg/day in a phase I clinical study, with no side effects [102]. NS seeds, particularly in the powdered form, resulted in a potent hepato-protective effect in experimental models [6,103], while a non-toxic increase in liver enzymes has been observed after NS oil administration in women [104]. In the included studies, there was no difference in the frequency of adverse effects between treated and placebo groups, and among all participants only one treated subject was reported to quit for nausea [47].…”

Ameliorative effects of Nigella sativa on dyslipidemia

“…There is also evidence showing that NS, both in the raw powdered and extract forms, has antimicrobial and antifungal actions [40,41]. NS seed supplementation resulted in a potent hepatoprotective effect, in particular in the powdered form against liver damage in experimental models [31,42].…”

The protective effect of Nigella sativa oil in the brain of the biliary obstructed rats

“…Several therapeutic roles have been asserted thereafter such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory (17), analgesic, antitumor, antihistaminic (18), oral hypoglycemic (19), hepatoprotective (20,21), nephroprotective (22), neuroprotective (23) and gastroprotective actions (24).…”