Therapeutic Efficacy of Nigella Sativa Linn. against Antituberculosis Drug-Induced Hepatic Injury in Wistar Rats.

Antituberculosis drug (ATD)-induced hepatotoxicity is a major impediment for the effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). All first-line anti-TB medications have adverse effects that interrupt the successful completion of TB treatment. This investigation focuses on the evaluation of the protective role of Nigella sativa (NS) against liver injury caused by ATDs. Female rats were treated with ATDs for 8 weeks (3 d/wk) followed by NS for 8 weeks (3 d/wk). The antioxidant activity of NS was estimated with a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and by analyzing total phenolic contents. Qualitative characterization of active compounds of the plant was done by high-performance liquid chromotography (HPLC). ATD-induced adverse effects were associated with sharp elevation in levels of serum transaminases, albumin, cholesterol, urea, uric acid, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). ATDs significantly increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], adenosine triphosphatase [ATPase], and glucose-6-phosphatase [G6Pase]) in liver, indicating oxidative stress. Conjoint treatment with NS could reverse the serological biochemistry and inhibit oxidative stress by suppressing LPO and augmenting antioxidant enzyme activity toward that of the control. Histological studies support the above biochemical findings. Results indicate that NS exerts excellent hepatoprotective abilities and can be used as a supplement to improve patient adherence and reduce interruptions in treatment due to ATD-related liver injury.