Hepatorenal toxicity of bromoxynil and the protective role of Nigella sativa extract: biochemical, hematological and histopathological evidence from an experimental study

Pesticide exposure is a growing health concern globally because of its toxic effects on vital organs. Present research was conducted to investigate the effects of bromoxynil on the liver and kidney, along with the protective potential of Nigella sativa extract. Experimental animals were divided into four groups: control(Co), Nigella sativa extract alone(NS), bromoxynil-treated (BO), and combined treatment(BO + NS). Histological, micrometric and blood chemical parameters were measured following 10,15- and 25-days experimental period. Biochemical analysis revealed that bromoxynil exposure significantly increased serum liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) and renal function markers (urea, creatinine), over different experimental periods indicating hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Hematological alterations including reduced red blood cells and hemoglobin with increased white blood cells reflected systemic stress. Histological examinations confirmed these findings, where bromoxynil caused severe hepatic alterations such as vacuolated hepatocytes, pyknotic nuclei and disrupted sinusoidal architecture while kidney sections showed shrunken glomeruli, widened periglomerular spaces and degenerated tubular cells. In contrast, animals treated with Nigella sativa displayed marked improvement. The extract stabilized liver and kidney functions restored hematological balance and preserved normal tissue structures. Overall, our findings highlight the dual threat of bromoxynil toxicity and the therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa in protecting vital organs against pesticide induced damage. Graphical Abstract