Hepatoprotective Effects of (Astereaceae) Extract on CCl-Induced Liver Injury in Broiler Chickens.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of leaf extract (VALE) on the carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity (CCl) in broiler chickens. A total of 360-day-old broilers were divided into 4 treatments of 90 birds each consisting of 6 replicates of 15 birds each. The treatments were birds offered 1 mL/kg BW saline (control group), 100 mg/kg BW VALE, 1 mL/kg BW CCl (CCl-treated group), and 100 mg/kg BW VALE + 1 mL/kg BW CCl (VALE + CCl group). Blood samples were collected at 42 days of age and analyzed for the liver enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and selected biochemical parameters. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design. The results obtained showed that VALE had the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of CCl on protein and lipid metabolism as reflected in the low serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, which is a marker of lipid peroxidation. The aqueous extract of (VA) at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight showed a moderate hepatoprotective effect by reducing serum AST levels ( < 0.05). The levels of serum AST, ALP, ALT, and GGT were significantly increased in CCl-treated birds compared to the control group, reflecting carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage. The VALE + CCl group showed a significantly higher amount of ALP compared to birds treated with carbon tetrachloride, suggesting a hepatoprotective effect. To conclude, aqueous extract can be used to confer protection against hepatotoxicity, which can induce severe hepatocellular damage in birds.