Centratherum anthelminticum seeds reverse the carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The present study is the first attempt to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic seeds extract (ESEt) of Centratherum anthelminticum (black cumin) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury. The test doses (600 and 800 mg/kg) of same extract were found effective in their respective test groups by improving the body and liver weights, serum alanine and aspartate transaminases, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins, albumin, total bilirubin, especially indirect bilirubin and uric acid levels as compared to CCl4-induced hepatotoxic control group. In addition, decreased percent inhibitions of antioxidant parameters including catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione accompanied with increased percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation observed in both test groups. Histopathological studies also proved the liver regenerating property of ESEt by showing decrease in fatty deposition, necrosis and inflammation around the central vein of liver lobules. Therefore, the ESEt was found to be hepatoprotective and antioxidative in nature.   Key words: Centratherum anthelminticum, Carbon tetrachloride, Liver function test and antioxidants.