Effect of nerium oleander plant on liver of adult male albino rat and the possible protective role of nigella sativa oil. A biochemical histological and histochemical study

ABSTRACT

Nerium oleander [N. oleander] is extremely poisonous plant and is important cause of children's admission to hospitals after accidental ingestion. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the hepatotoxic effect of this plant and the possible protective effect of nigella sativa oil "NSO". Fifty two adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were divided into three groups. Group I was used as control. Group II, received daily N. oleander leaves extract orally [10 mg/kg] for 10 and 20 days. Group III, received the same previous dose of N. oleander followed immediately by oral administration of "NSO", [2.0 mg/kg] per day for the same periods. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dose and blood samples were taken for analysis of liver function tests [AST, ALT and ALP], total proteins, albumen, globulin and [A/G] ratio. The liver was examined histologically and histochemnically using H and E, Mallory's trichrome, Periodic acid Schiff [PAS], alkaline and acid phosphatases. The liver of animals that received N. oleander [group II], showed progressive changes in the form of varying degrees of cell damage and necrosis. Dilatation and congestion of blood vessels and invasion of mononuclear cellular infiltration with concomitant increase in collagen fibers were also noticed. Progressive reduction in glycogen granules as well as in the alkaline phosphatase activity was detected. On the other hand, acid phosphatase activity was progressively increased. These changes were accompanied by elevation of the hepatic function tests. Animals of group III that were post-treated with NSO showed, amelioration of most N. oleander toxicity and could also protect the liver from the changes that appeared in the previous group. It can be concluded that, N. oleander has a potential hepatotoxic effect that can be protected by NSO