Hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity are two of the most common healthy problems in the world. Extensive research was carried out to document the powerful properties of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) as an anti-tumor, bactericide, anticestode, antinematode, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diabetic and diuretic with many other uses. Little is known about the Nigella sativa anti-toxic property in liver and kidney, thus our current study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Thymoquinone (TQ) "the main bioactive constituent of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds" on the toxicity that induced by Malathion after short term (3 week) in male albino rats.
Forty male adult albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats each group): 1st group served as the control group received olive oil daily by oral stomach tube, 2nd one is the treated group, received Malathion as a spray (570 mg/kg) in closed place for 1 hr. every day for a period of 3 weeks. 3rd group received Malathion (with the same technique) after treated with Thymoquinone in a dose of 20 mg/kg/day orally, while the 4th one received Malathion (with the same technique) after treated with Thymoquinone in a dose of 40 mg/kg/day orally. Administration of Malathion significantly increased the concentration of liver function tests: "ALT, AST, and ALP", and Kidney function tests: "urea and creatinine". Also it cause various histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues. But in the groups that treated with Thymoquinone plus Malathion: the liver function and kidney function parameters improved as a result of tissues improvement.
Overall, results of present study supported the traditional use of N. sativa and its derived products as a therapeutic agent for many diseases.
Key words: Malathion, Hepatotoxicity, Nephrotoxicity, Nigella sativa, Thymoquinone.
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