Role of black seeds (Nigella sativa) in ameliorating carbon tetrachloride induced haematotoxicity in Swiss albino mice

The effect of the oral administration of an aqueous suspension of Nigella sativa (50 mg/kg b.wt.) against morphological, cytological and biochemical alterations of blood cells in mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was studied. CCl4 was administered at a dose of 1.9 ml/kg b.wt (¼ LD50) every other day for three successive weeks. The results indicated significant changes in the haematological parameters in animals intoxicated with CCl4. Morphological and ultrastructural alterations including both nucleus and cytoplasm of peripheral blood cells were also recorded. Treatment of the animals with N. sativa improved both physiological and structural changes induced by CCl4.