PENGARUH PEMBERIAN EKSTRAK BIJI JINTAN HITAM (NIGELLA SATIVA) TERHADAP GAMBARAN HISTOPATOLOGI HATI TIKUS WISTAR YANG DIBERI METOTREKSAT

Abstract

Background: Methotrexate is one of anti folate agent widely used in therapy of various malignancies and autoimmune disease. An acute administration results in elevation of liver transaminase which indicates a disturbance of the liver cells, while a chronic administration results in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Nigella sativa has been scientifically proven to have a hepatoprotective effect against liver damage induced by CCl4 administration and Schistosoma mansoni infestation. The purpose of this research is to investigate this herb hepatoprotective effect against methotrexate-induced liver damage by observing liver histopathological changes. Method: Twenty five adult male wistar rats were divided randomly into five groups. One group was kept without treatment, another group was administered only with 0.54 mg methotrexate orally, and three other groups were given N. sativa in addition of methotrexate administration. First group was given 0.008 ml twice a day, second group 0.08 ml twice a day, and third group 0.8 ml twice a day. Each liver specimen was processed and the histopathological changes were observed. The degree of liver damage was determined by Histological Activity Index (HAI) Knodell score. The data were analyzed with Kruskal Wallis test continued by Mann-Whitney test. Result: Total HAI Knodell score on the group administered with methotrexate only is significantly higher than the group without treatment. While the group treated with 0.008 ml and 0.08 ml N. sativa showed a lower HAI Knodell score compared to the group treated with methotrexate only, with the lower dose had a lower score, but both are statistically not significant. Five of six rats on the group treated with 0.8 ml N. sativa died before termination. Conclusion: N. sativa is not significant in reducing liver histopathological change induced by methotrexate administration. Keywords: N. sativa, methotrexate, liver histopathologic pattern, HAI Knodell score.