Hepatoprotective effects of Nigella Sativa oil against acrylamide-induced liver injury in rats

Acrylamide (AA) is a heat-induced carcinogen founds in some foods due to cooking or other thermal processes. This study was designed to investigate the possible protective efficacy of Nigella sativa essential oil against acrylamideinduced liver toxicity. Four groups of 32 male Wistar albino rats were formed. The control group was fed ad libitum. Acrylamide was administered to the rats in Group AA at a daily dose of 40 mg/kg by gavage. Nigella sativa essential oil was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 10mg/kg to the rats in Group NS. In Group AA+NS, daily applications of acrylamide and Nigella sativa essential oil were applied simultaneously as mentioned above. The trial period lasted 15 days. While acrylamide statistically increased MDA levels in liver tissue (P<0.05), (146.13 %) and decreased GSH and SOD activity statistically (P<0.05), (55.28% and 40.46%). In addition, liver proinflammatory cytokine levels increased due to acrylamide administration (P<0.05), [TNF-alpha (78.17%), IL-6 (76.08%)], anti-inflammatory cytokine levels (P<0.05), [IL-10 (61.16%)] decreased. Co-administration of Nigella sativa essential oil with acrylamide significantly reduced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in liver tissues (P<0.05). In conclusion, our findings highlighted the potential therapeutic role of Nigella sativa essential oil in preventing acrylamideinduced hepatotoxicity.