Modulatory effects of some natural products on hepatotoxicity induced by combination of sodium valproate and paracetamol in rats.

Possible hepatoprotective effect of Curcuma longa and/or Nigella sativa against hepatotoxicity induced by coadministration of sodium valproate (SV) and paracetamol was studied. Rats were divided into 10 groups, control groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 received vehicles, C. longa (200 mg/kg, p.o.), N. sativa (250 mg/kg, p.o.), or both herbs for 21 days, respectively. Toxicity groups 5, 6, and 7 received SV (300 mg/kg, i.p.), paracetamol (1000 mg/kg, p.o.) for the last 4 days or both for 21 days, respectively. Protection groups 8, 9, and 10 received C. longa, N. sativa, or both, respectively, 1 h before the administration of both the drugs for 21 days. SV and/or paracetamol significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, relative liver/body weight ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and caspase-3 (Casp-3) while significantly decreased albumin, total protein, glutathione (GSH) reduced, GSH peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Preadministration of C. longa and/or N. sativa caused protective effect against the hepatotoxicity induced by both drugs.