Nigella sativa L. Attenuates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Apoptosis in Concanavalin A-induced Acute Immunological Liver Damage in Mice

Abstract

Liver's contribution to innate immunity is eminent. However, uncontrolled inflammatory conditions predispose the liver to immune-mediated injury. Nigella sativa L. is traditionally implicated in infectious, inflammatory, metabolic and hepatorenal complications. This study aimed to evaluate the protective role of N. sativa seed extract (NSE) against concanavalin A (ConA)-induced acute immunological liver injury in mice. In vitro, NSE was subjected to quantitative phytochemical characterization and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) analysis. In vivo, male Balb/c mice were pretreated with NSE (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and pioglitazone (5 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for seven consecutive days. A single dose of ConA (12 mg/kg, i.v.) was injected and samples were collected for biochemical, histopathological and qRT-PCR analyses after 8 h of ConA injection. In vitro analysis showed considerable quantities of polyphenols and significant DPPH scavenging ability of NSE. In mice, ConA resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase in liver injury markers (ALT, AST, ALP and TBil) and hepatic oxidative stress (SOD, CAT and MDA). Also, a substantial elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) in liver tissues was noticed. Furthermore, ConA HIGHLIGHTS• Nigella sativa seed extract (NSE) possess significant polyphenol contents and antioxidant potential.• NSE attenuated concanavalin A-induced liver injury and oxidative stress.• NSE suppressed liver inflammation through modulating PPARγ/JAK2/STAT3 pathway.• NSE inhibited hepatocyte apoptosis via downregulating Bcl-2/Bax/Caspase-9 pathway.