Effects of black seed oil on resolution of hepato-renal toxicity induced bybromobenzene in rats.

Volatile halocarbon, bromobenzene (BB), is frequently encountered in table-ready foods as contaminants residues. The objective of this study was to investigate whether black seed oil could attenuate hepato-renal injury induced by BB exposure. The evaluation was done through measuring liver oxidative stress markers: reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Hepatic succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), lactate dehydrogenases (LDH) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) were estimated. Serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST, ALT) and alkaline phosphatase were also evaluated. Kidney function indices; blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, serum protein, nitric oxide (NO), Na-K-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+-K+-ATPase) and phospholipids were done. Liver and kidney histopathological analysis and collagen content were analyzed for results confirmation. Treatment with black seed oil (BSO) alleviated the elevation of GSH, SDH, LDH, G-6-Pase, serum protein, NO, Na+-K+-ATPase, phospholipids levels and attenuated MDA, SOD, AST, ALT and ALP. Diminution of collagen content and improvement in liver and kidney architectures were observed. BSO enhanced the hepato-renal protection mechanism, reduced disease complications and delayed its progression. Further studies are needed to identify the molecules responsible for its pharmacological effect.