Abstract

A STUDY TO COMPARE THE HEPATOPROTECTIVE ROLE OF NIGELLA SATIVA AQUEOUS SOLUTION AND OIL SUSPENSION FOLLOWING ACETAMINOPHEN INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN LAYER CHICKS

Ruqaiya Hasan*, Taseer A. Khan, Muhammad N. Khan, and Aiman Kanwal

Abstract

This investigation is performed to compare the reportedhepatoprotective activity of Nigella sativa (Black Seed) aqueoussolution and oil suspension by measuring the mean serum Aspartatetransaminase (AST) and Alanine transaminase (ALT) levels followingthe administration of single toxic dose of 300 mg acetaminophen / kgbody weight in Layer chicks. Blood samples drawn after 72 hours ofdrug administration showed a non significant rise of AST and ALT inthe chickens treated with Nigella sativa aqueous solution and unalteredlevels of serum AST and non significant high levels of ALT in thechickens treated with Nigella sativa oil suspension for 15 days, incomparison to controls. Thus it is concluded that Nigella sativa oileffectively provides hepatoprotection against toxic agents due to its active ingredientthymoquinone with antioxidant property, and there is a need to explore the minimumeffective dose of Nigella sativa oil.

Keywords: Hepatoprotection, Layer chickens, Lliver enzymes, Nigella sativa