Therapeutic Effect of Nigella sativa Oil in Hepatotoxicity Induced by Isoniazid in Rats

Objectives: Tuberculosis is one the most prevalent microbial diseases worldwide and hepatotoxicity is one of the major side effects of first line anti-tubercular drug, Isoniazid. The reported pharmacological activities of Nigella sativa oil include protection from liver damage caused by diseases, chemicals and chemotherapeutic agents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa oil in hepatotoxicity induced by using Isoniazid. Methods: Isoniazid (50 mg/kg) was administered to all the animals for 28 days orally. Silymarin (50 mg/kg) was used as standard drug for this study. From 29th day onwards isoniazid was stopped and therapeutic agents - normal saline, silymarin, Nigella sativa oil 0.5 ml /kg and 1ml/kg were given orally for the next 15 days in different animal groups respectively. On 44th day rats were sacrificed, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis and liver tissue was subjected to histopathological examination. Results: The rats treated with N. sativa oil showed significant reduction in the liver enzymes and total bilirubin levels when compared to negative control group. There was also significant improvement in the histopathological scores in N. sativa oil treated group when compared to the negative control group. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of Nigella sativa oil as a therapeutic agent in hepatotoxicity induced by isoniazid in a dose dependant manner.