Effects of Nigella sativa and vitamin E+Se in CCl4 treated rats

Carbontetrachloride (CCl4), a selective hepatotoxic chemical agent has been utilized to produce liver cirrhosis in experimental animals (Parola et al., 1992). Vitamin E and Se are well-known liver preservative and hepatotrophic compounds (Zhang et al., 1996). Nigella sativa (black seed) is a seed of capsulated plants and belongs to the Ranunculaceae spp. Recently researches have shown the therapeutic effect of N. Sativa extracts such as bronchodilator, immunomodulative, antibacterial, hypotensive, choleretic, antitumoral, antifungal and anthelmentic (Salomi et al., 1992). The trace elements such as copper and zinc are co-factors of some enzymes, such as SOD which participate in antioxidant process by inhibiting reactive oxygen production (Bray and Bettger, 1990). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of N. sativa, well known therapeutic agent, vitamin E+Se administration on serum antioxidant vitamins (vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A, beta-carotene and retinol) and trace elements (Zn, Cu) concentrations on CCl4 treated rats.