Hepatoprotective effects of Nigella sativa L and Urtica dioica L on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme systems and liver enzymes in carbon tetrachloride-treated rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of Nigella sativa L (NS) and Urtica dioica L (UD) on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme systems and liver enzymes in CCl(4)-treated rats.


METHODS
Fifty-six healthy male Wistar albino rats were used in this study. The rats were randomly allotted into one of the four experimental groups: A (CCl(4)-only treated), B (CCl(4)+UD treated), C (CCl(4)+NS treated) and D (CCl(4)+UD+NS treated), each containing 14 animals. All groups received CCl(4) (0.8 mL/kg of body weight, sc, twice a week for 60 d). In addition, B, C and D groups also received daily i.p. injections of 0.2 mL/kg NS or/and 2 mL/kg UD oils for 60 d. Group A, on the other hand, received only 2 mL/kg normal saline solution for 60 d. Blood samples for the biochemical analysis were taken by cardiac puncture from randomly chosen-seven rats in each treatment group at beginning and on the 60th d of the experiment.


RESULTS
The CCl(4) treatment for 60 d increased the lipid peroxidation and liver enzymes, and also decreased the antioxidant enzyme levels. NS or UD treatment (alone or combination) for 60 d decreased the elevated lipid peroxidation and liver enzyme levels and also increased the reduced antioxidant enzyme levels. The weight of rats decreased in group A, and increased in groups B, C and D.


CONCLUSIONS
NS and UD decrease the lipid per-oxidation and liver enzymes, and increase the anti-oxidant defense system activity in the CCl4-treated rats.
Kanter
Mehmet
M
Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey. mehmetkanter65@hotmail.com
Coskun
Omer
O
Budancamanak
Mustafa
M
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D026982:Urtica dioica / Q000737:chemistry*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D010938:Plant Oils; D020011:Protective Agents; D014810:Vitamin E; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride