Introduction: Ceftriaxone is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin with a hepatotoxic effect. Nigella sativa (Ns) has potent
antioxidant effects, so it has a promising medicinal application.
Aim: To study the possible protective role of Nigella Sativa Extracted Oil against the Hepato-toxic Effect of Ceftriaxone in
adult male albino rat.
Materials and Methods: Thirty two adult male albino rats had been divided into four groups with 8 rats allocated in each
group: Group 1 (control group), Group 2 (Ns oil administrated): received Nigella sativa (NS) oil 2 ml/kg by gastric tube daily
for 4 weeks, Group 3 (ceftriaxone treated): received ceftriaxone (360 mg/kg) (I.P) daily for 4 weeks and Group 4 (Ns oil and
ceftriaxone treated group). At the last day of the experiment, the liver specimens of each animal were dissected carefully and
were processed for light-microscopic examination.
Results: Ceftriaxone treated group revealed elevated level of liver enzymes that were relatively lower in ceftriaxone and
Ns oil group. Histological examination of the liver of ceftriaxone treated group showed dilated congested central vein and
sinusoids with hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes, while portal triad revealed dilated congested portal vein and dilated bile
ducts surrounded by inflammatory cells. Additionally, abundant deposition of collagen was detected and increased expression
of TNFα immune staining within hepatocytes and in lining of sinusoids. All these histological alterations were less marked in
group (4) which received NS oil in combination with ceftriaxone.
Conclusion: Ns oil has a protective effect against liver injury resulted from ceftriaxone injection due to its antioxidant activities.