PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF NIGELLA SATIVA OIL AGAINST METHOTREXATE INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

Zheen Aorahman Ahmed a


a  Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.


Submitted: 26/7/2018; Accepted: 28/8/2018; Published 21/12/2018
ABSTRACT


Background 

Use of Methotrexate has been related with toxic effects on a variety of systems and organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, lung, and bone marrow. Nigella sativa extracts have shown many beneficial effects in recently conducted clinical and experimental trials where it found to act as the immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antibacterial agents.


Objectives 

The aim of the research is to assess the effect of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) in the protection of Methotrexate (MTX)-induced liver toxicity in rats. 


Materials and Methods

Twenty four Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into 4 groups of 6 animals each as follow: GroupI presented as control negative; Group II presented as liver toxicity without treatment, Group III presented NSO treated group, and Group IV presented a control positive group that received N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). The state of serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST),Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), and Total Antioxidant Capacity (T-AOC) were determined. The homogenates from liver tissue was used for figuring of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH), and for histopathological examinations.


Results

The results distinctly showed that NSO provides significant protection against MTX-induced toxicity in the liver of rats through reduction in ALT, AST, and ALT activities, increase in T-AOC, improvement in the state of oxidative stress induced by MTX, and improvements in the histopathological picture of the liver. 


Conclusion

Orally administered NSO protects the liver against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.


KEYWORDS

Nigella sativa oil, Methotrexate toxicant, Hepatotoxicity, Animal study.

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