Abstract: “The present study investigated the efficacy of a herbal melanin derived from Nigella sativa L. seed coats (NS melanin) on prevention of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute hepatic injury in Wistar rats. Hepatic damage due to CCl4 intoxication was assessed by quantifying the markers of hepatic oxidative damage, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and hepatic liver peroxide marker malondialdehyde (MDA). Treatment of the rats with CCl4 increased the levels of AST, ALT in the blood and MDA in liver homogenate. Pre-treatment with herbal melanin solutions resulted in significant reduction in the levels of the hepatic enzymes and peroxides in a dose related manner. Our findings provide evidence to demonstrate that Nigella sativa L. melanin has a potent hepato-protective effect on CCl4- induced liver injury in rats. It is proposed that the action of melanin is through its antioxidative and immunomodulatory activity via activation of Toll-like receptor 4 and subsequen”

Keywords: Protective action; herbal melanin; carbon tetrachloride; hepatotoxicity