In Vivo Hepato-Nephroprotective Role of Nigella sativa Seed Extract Against Lead Nitrate [Pb(NO3)2] Induced Toxicity in Albino Mice

Abstract

In this study, toxic effects of lead nitrate [Pb(NO3)2] and the hepato-nephroprotectiverole of Nigella sativa seed extract (NSSE) against toxicity were studied in albino mice. For this aim,mice were randomly divided into six groups as: Group I treated with tap water, Group II: 300 mg kg1bw NSSE, Group III: 600 mg kg-1bw NSSE, Group IV: 500 mg kg-1bw Pb(NO3)2, Group V: 300 mgkg-1bw NSSE+500 mg kg-1bw Pb(NO3)2, Group VI: 600 mg kg-1bw NSSE+500 mg kg-1bwPb(NO3)2. After experimental procedure the changes in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alaninetransaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) levels of blood serum, glutathione (GSH) andmalondialdehyde (MDA) levels of liver and kidney tissues were investigated. And alsohistopathological examinations of liver and kidney tissues were studied. At result, significant increaseswere observed in BUN, creatinine, ALT, AST levels of mice treated with Pb(NO3)2. GSH levels weredecreased, MDA levels were increased in kidney and liver tissues after Pb(NO3)2 treatment. Inhistopathological examinations binucleated cell, karyomegaly, stellate cell and bilirubin pigmentdeposit were observed in liver tissue while hyaline cast, thickening of the basement membrane,albumonid content and inflammatory leukocytes were observed in kidney tissue in Group IV. NSSEtreatment in Group V and VI was ameliorated the toxic changes in level of serum parameters, GSHand MDA levels and histopathological damages of tested tissues. As a result, it was determined thatNSSE decreases hepato-nephrotoxicity with a dose dependent manner induced by Pb(NO3)2 and leadsto an improvement associated with its components.