The protective effect of Nigella Sativa L. seed's hydro-alcoholic extract on liver toxicity induced by gentamicin in male rats

Gentamicin is an aminoglycosides antibiotic which is used to treat several types of bacterial infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa L. extract (NSE) on liver toxicity and serum level of liver enzymes in rats induced by gentamicin.
In the present experimental study, 42 Wistar male rats were divided randomly into 6 groups includes: control (normal saline 2ml/kg, i.p), gentamicin (gentamicin 80mg/kg/day, i.p), positive control (400mg/kg NSE, i.p) and treated groups 1, 2, 3 (gentamicin 80mg/kg/day NSE 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg respectively, i.p). Nigella sativa extract was injected for 7 days after ten days period of gentamicin injection. After the examination the blood samples were collected from heart directly and the serum of ALT, AST and ALP liver enzymes were measured. Microscopic studies of hepatic tissue were done. All data analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey test.
Gentamicin caused necrosis and inflammation in the liver tissue and significantly increased serum level of liver enzymes (p Gentamicin can cause necrosis and inflammation effect in liver tissue. The Nigella sativa seed extract have antioxidant and flavonoid compounds that can decrease toxic effect of gentamicin in liver tissue.