Potential effect of Nigella sativa against Diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

Objective of the investigation was the study of potential protective effects of the watery extract of Nigella sativa against diethylnitrosamine induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. N. sativa was administered to rats for protection against dieth- ylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. It was administered prior to, simultaneously with or after injection of diethylnitro - samine. Five groups of Wister rats were used. Group A was administered diethylnitrosamine and N. sativa simultaneously, group B was administered only diethylnitrosamine and group C received only N. sativa. These three groups were maintained for up to eight weeks. Group D received N. sativa six weeks after administration of diethylnitrosamine,while group E ("protective group") received N. sativa on day 1 and diethylnitrosamine six weeks later. These two groups were maintained for up to 12 weeks. All rats were subjected to partial hepatectomy to enhance carcinogenesis. P-isoform of glutathione s-transferase (GST-P) was detect - ed in the cytoplasm and nuclei of hepatocytes. The number of GST-P positive foci was significantly smaller in test groups (A, D, E), particularly in groups A and E, when compared with to those in group B, indicating that N. sativa has protective effects against diethylnitrosamine induced liver cancer in rats, even in the very early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis.