Hepatoprotective Activity Of Methanolic Extract Of Nigella Sativa In Wister Albino Rats

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the hepato-protective activity of the methanolic extract of Nigella sativa on albino Wister rats. Twenty five rats were divided into 5 groups, 5 each; A, B, C were saved as control groups, received paraffin, dimethylsulfoxide, CCl4 in paraffin respectively; while group D and E received CCl4 in paraffin and methnolic extract of Nigella sativa at dose of 250mg/kg body weight and 500mg/kg body weight respectively. There were an increase in the body weights of control groups (A, B) at a rate of 2.0%. However the body weights in group C, D and E were reduced by 10.3, 9.3 and 10.3% respectively. The relative organ weights ratio showed no significant differences among all groups. There were no significantly differences among the groups in WBS, RBC, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC values, but Hb recorded reduction on day 10 in group D. The results revealed there was no effect on total bilirubin concentration between the groups except in group C where total bilirubin values raised from 0.2 to 0.7 on day 10, compared to group E which raised xi from 0.1 to 0.4. There were significant increased (P>0.05) in ALT, AST and ALP activities on day 5 and 10 in group C, D and E compared to control groups A and B, but the groups (D and E) which were given both CCl4 and N. sativa methanolic extract showed significant inhibition (P>0.05) of increased plasma levels (ALT and ALP) compared to the group which given only CCl4. However significant reduction (P>0.05) in AST activity was observed on day 10 in group E compared to the control group C. The livers of control groups were normal, but rats which received CCl4 showed central hepatic fatty vaculation and congestion, but in the group of rats received 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of methanolic extract, the changes were to a lesser extent.