Protection by Nigella sativa against carbon tetrachloride-induced downregulation of hepatic cytochrome P450 isozymes in rats

Jpn J Vet Res. 2008 Nov;56(3):119-28.

Abstract

Nigella sativa (family Ranunculaceae) is an annual plant that has been traditionally used on the Indian subcontinent and in Middle Eastern countries. In this study, we investigated the effect of N. sativa oil on the drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and whether it has a protective effect against the acute hepatotoxicity of CCl4. Intraperitoneal injection of rats with CCl4 drastically decreased CYP2E1, CYP2B, CYP3A2, CYP2C11, and CYP1A2 mRNA and protein expressions. Oral administration of 1 ml/kg N. sativa oil every day for one week prior to CCl4 injection alleviated CCl4-induced suppression of CYP2B, CYP3A2, CYP2C11, and CYP1A2. Moreover, CCl4 increased iNOS and TNFalpha mRNA, while N. sativa oil administration for one week prior to CCl4 injection downregulated the CCl4-induced iNOS mRNA and up-regulated IL-10 mRNA. These results indicate that N. sativa oil administration has a protective effect against the CCl4-mediated suppression of hepatic CYPs and that this protective effect is partly due to the downregulation of NO production and up-regulation of the anti-inflammatory IL-10.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / drug therapy
  • Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / enzymology
  • Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / prevention & control*
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / genetics
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / drug effects
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Microsomes, Liver / enzymology*
  • Nigella sativa / chemistry*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Oils / chemistry
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Plant Oils / therapeutic use*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • Plant Oils
  • Interleukin-10
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System