Phytochemical Screening, LD50 Determination and Sub-Chronic Toxicity Studies of Methanol Seeds Extract of Nigella Sativa

Abstract

Nigella Sativa has long been used as a spice, food preservatives and in many countries as herbal medicine. This study was carried out to screen the Phytochemical, evaluate the LD₅₀ and sub-chronic studies of methanol seeds extract of Nigella sativa (ASENS) in rats. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals were determined using standard methods. A total of twenty five rats were used for acute toxicity (LD₅₀, oral, rat) and sub-chronic toxicity. For the sub-chronic toxicity twelve rats were divided into four groups of three rats each. Group I served as normal control, groups II, III, IV were administered orally with ASENS at doses of 10, 100 and 1000mg/kg body weight respectively for four weeks. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids and flavonoids at different concentrations with cardiac glycosides having the highest. Acute toxicity study shows no sign of toxicity or mortality up to dose of 5000mg/kg while sub-chronic toxicity showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum liver enzymes activities (AST and ALT), serum concentration of total protein, urea, K⁺, and creatinine with significant increase (p<0.05) in ALP activity and serum concentrations of Na⁺, Cl^-, and HCO^- in groups II to IV in dose dependent pattern compared to the normal control. Therefore, findings showed that there are no toxic effects of ASENS on rat^’s liver and kidneys functions indices as evidence by biochemical parameters and also it’s relatively safe at administered doses.

Keywords: Nigella sativa, acute toxicity, Sub-chronic toxicity and seed extract.

DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/102-06

Publication date: November 30^th 2020