Abstract:
Different extracts of Nigella sativa L. seed waste; aqueous (AE) 200 mg/kg, ethanol 70% (EE) 250 mg/kg and hexane (HE)
10 mg/kg, were evaluated for their hepatoprotective activities. They were administered orally, once daily, for 5 consecutive
days. On day 5, liver injury was induced in animals by a single i.p. injection of carbon tetrachloride (10 mg/kg b. w. of 0.25%
(v/v). Hepatoxicity produced, was evaluated by both biochemical and histopathological investigations. The aqueous extract
attenuated the CCl4-induced liver damage likely due to the decrease of proinflammatory cytokines and T-cell proliferation. This
was noticed by a significant decreasein both serum and tissue cytokines; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α),interferon-gamma
(INF-γ ) and interlukin-beta (IL-1β), in themarkers of liver functions; bilirubin and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and in the
oxidative stress markers; malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione content (GSH). Fractionated of this extract was performed
and its component, protein, saponin, and polyphenol fractions were evaluated by appropriate analytical procedures. The crude
protein of the seed waste reached 36.85% while protein fingerprint showed four bands ranging from 91.97 KD and 29.00 KD. The
saponin content was evaluated through the determination of the haemolytic index and reached 15.56 mg/g dry powder. Finally,
Folin Ciocalteu method was used for the determination of the total polyphenols. The same biochemical and histopathological
studies were again performed on the different fractions of the aqueous extract; protein fraction (PF) 10 mg/kg, saponin fraction
(SF) 5 mg/kg and polyphenol fraction (FF) 10 mg/kg. The biochemical changes were improved only by the protein fraction (PF)
of the seed waste of Nigella sativa. This was manifested by a significant reduction in both serum and tissue cytokines in the
liver markers and in the oxidative stress markers. Moreover, liver histopathology showed that (PF) reduced the incidence of
liver lesions including hepatic cells cloudy swelling, lymphocytes infiltration, hepatic necrosis and fibrous connective tissue
proliferation induced by CCl4 in mice. From this study, it is concluded that the protein fraction of the aqueous extract of Nigella
sativa seed waste exhibited a promising hepatoprotective effect in the management of different liver disorders. Copyright c
2010 John Wiley & Sons, LtdDifferent extracts of Nigella sativa L. seed waste; aqueous (AE) 200 mg/kg, ethanol 70% (EE) 250 mg/kg and hexane (HE)
10 mg/kg, were evaluated for their hepatoprotective activities. They were administered orally, once daily, for 5 consecutive
days. On day 5, liver injury was induced in animals by a single i.p. injection of carbon tetrachloride (10 mg/kg b. w. of 0.25%
(v/v). Hepatoxicity produced, was evaluated by both biochemical and histopathological investigations. The aqueous extract
attenuated the CCl4-induced liver damage likely due to the decrease of proinflammatory cytokines and T-cell proliferation. This
was noticed by a significant decreasein both serum and tissue cytokines; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α),interferon-gamma
(INF-γ ) and interlukin-beta (IL-1β), in themarkers of liver functions; bilirubin and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and in the
oxidative stress markers; malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione content (GSH). Fractionated of this extract was performed
and its component, protein, saponin, and polyphenol fractions were evaluated by appropriate analytical procedures. The crude
protein of the seed waste reached 36.85% while protein fingerprint showed four bands ranging from 91.97 KD and 29.00 KD. The
saponin content was evaluated through the determination of the haemolytic index and reached 15.56 mg/g dry powder. Finally,
Folin Ciocalteu method was used for the determination of the total polyphenols. The same biochemical and histopathological
studies were again performed on the different fractions of the aqueous extract; protein fraction (PF) 10 mg/kg, saponin fraction
(SF) 5 mg/kg and polyphenol fraction (FF) 10 mg/kg. The biochemical changes were improved only by the protein fraction (PF)
of the seed waste of Nigella sativa. This was manifested by a significant reduction in both serum and tissue cytokines in the
liver markers and in the oxidative stress markers. Moreover, liver histopathology showed that (PF) reduced the incidence of
liver lesions including hepatic cells cloudy swelling, lymphocytes infiltration, hepatic necrosis and fibrous connective tissue
proliferation induced by CCl4 in mice. From this study, it is concluded that the protein fraction of the aqueous extract of Nigella
sativa seed waste exhibited a promising hepatoprotective effect in the management of different liver disorders. Copyright c
2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd