Evaluation of the protective effect of Nigella sativa oil on liver in NMRI male mice following silver nanoparticles toxicity.

Introduction:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on mice liver following silver nanoparticles toxicity.

24 adult male NMRI mice were divided into 4 groups: control, SNP (500mg/kg/day, gavage), NSO (5ml/kg/day, gavage) and finally SNP plus NSO and treated for 35 days. Histological assessment of liver were performed using stereological methods. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were also measured.

A significant decrease in the mean relative weight of liver, the total volume of the central veins, the total volume of the connective tissue, arteries and veins in the portal tracts and a significant increase in the total volume of sinusoids, bile ductules, the hepatocytes cell volume and serum levels of MDA and ALT and AST enzymes were observed in the silver nanoparticles group compared with the control group. The major of silver nanoparticles-induced Liver damages improved in the silver nanoparticles + Nigella sativa oil group to the control ones.

The results of this study suggest that Nigella sativa oil can protect the liver from silver nanoparticles damage.