Protective effect of Nigella sativa oil against binge ethanolinduced oxidative stress and liver injury in rats

AIM:Nigella sativa L.(Ranunculaceae) is considered as a therapeutic plant-based medicine for liver damage.In this study,the aim was to study the effect of Nigella sativa oil(NSO) pretreatment on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.METHOD:Rats were given Nigella sativa oil at doses of 2.5 and 5.0 mLkg-1,orally for 3 weeks,followed by oral ethanol(EtOH) administration(5 gkg-1) every 12 h three times(binge model).RESULTS:Binge ethanol application caused significant increases in plasma transaminase activities and hepatic triglyceride and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels.It decreased hepatic glutathione(GSH) levels,but did not change vitamins E and vitamin C levels and antioxidant enzyme activities.NSO(5.0 mLkg-1) pretreatment significantly decreased plasma transaminase activities,hepatic MDA,and triglyceride levels together with amelioration in hepatic histopathological findings.CONCLUSION:NSO pretreatment may be effective in protecting oxidative stress-induced hepatotoxicity after ethanol administration.