Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21551, P.O Box 42805, Saudi Arabia.
* Corresponding author E-mail: dr_nelsawi@yahoo.com.
With a view to study the effects of exposure to verrucarin J and their amelioration by Nigella sativa oil or Charcoal, male rats were treated with a sublethal dose of verrucarin J (0.9mg/kg intraperitoneally). verrucarin J showed an increase (P<0.01) in blood and liver tissue levels of TBARs, SOD and 5 nucleotidase. These were decreased by and large by Nigella sativa or charcoal, the former being more effective. Similarly, the decrease in levels of glucose and zinc in blood as well as RGSH and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in liver tissue (P<0.01) by verrucarin J was improved partially by the two treatments. It is concluded that the treatment of rats with Nigella sativa oil or Charcoal ameliorated the adverse effects of toxin but the results suggest that Nigella sativa oil may be used as antioxidant and antidote, rather than charcoal, for verrucarin J in rats.
Verrucarin J, Nigella sativa, thymoquinone, activated charcoal, rat liver
