The Protective Effects of Nigella Sativa Seed Oil against CCl₄-Induced Hepatic Injury in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) is a well-established hepatotoxic agent used to induce oxidative liver injury in animal models. Nigella sativa oil (NSO) possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties attributed primarily to thymoquinone. To evaluate the protective effects of Nigella sativa oil on biochemical and physiological parameters in Wistar rats exposed to chronic CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity. Twenty-four Wistar rats (n=6 per group) were allocated into four groups: Normal, CCl₄-treated, CCl₄+N. sativa oil (NSO), and NSO-only. CCl₄ (0.8mL/kg, s.c.) was administered twice per week for eight weeks in CCl₄-treated and CCl₄+N. sativa oil (NSO) treated groups. NSO (1 mL/kg/day, oral gavage) was administered for eight weeks in CCl₄+N. sativa oil (NSO), and NSO-only groups. During the study period, body weights of all groups were recorded on weekly basis and after 8^th week rats were slaughtered to obtain blood samples for biochemical estimations. Serum was separated to evaluate AST, ALT, ALP and bilirubin levels. Statistical analysis was done by calculating mean± SD. Results showed that CCl₄ administration in rats caused marked elevation in serum AST, ALT, ALP, and bilirubin levels which is indicative of liver toxicity. The serum biomarkers were reduced in CCl₄+NSO group suggesting it ameliorative role against CCl₄ induced hepatic damage. Control and NSO treated groups showed almost similar levels of the serum parameters. It is concluded that the toxic effects of CCl₄ are opposed by NSO suggesting its hepatoprotective potential thus can be used as a natural remedy for cure and prevention.