Hepatoprotective Activity of Nigella sativa and Piper nigrum against Concanavalin A-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mouse Model

Nigella sativa and Piper nigrum are implicated in the treatment of various disorders, especially in the management of metabolic, infectious and hepatorenal ailments. However, data on the mechanism behind therapeutic potential of N. sativa and P. nigrum in liver diseases is scarce. The present study investigated the hepatoprotective potential of 70% methanolic extract of N. sativa (NSE) and P. nigrum (PNE) at varying dose levels (100 to 400 mg/kg body weight) against concanavalin A (conA)-induced liver injury. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of plant extracts was performed. Acute hepatic injury was induced by administering intraperitoneally 12mg/kg conA in Balb/c mice. The extent of hepatic injury was measured by analysing serum biochemical parameters, liver antioxidant stress assay and histopathology. Data were analysed statistically. NSE and PNE showed dosedependent hepatoprotective efficacy by lowering the conA-dependent rise in liver transaminase level. Treatment with NSE (400 mg/Kg) and PNE (400 mg/Kg) ameliorated conA-induced alterations in serum oxidative stress markers, biochemical parameters, liver function markers and histopathology. NSE indicated greater effectiveness to ameliorate the acute hepatic injury in comparison with PNE at the same dose. Collectively, pretreatment with NSE and PNE attenuated the liver injury induced by conA, might be through alleviating the antioxidant capacity of experimental mice