Evaluation of the and antioxidant potential of L. against toluene-induced liver injuries in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Humans are more frequently exposed to chemicals in daily life by inhalation of indoor and outdoor air. However, abusers and workers are the most exposed to those chemicals and their health risks particularly, liver diseases. The present study investigated the protective effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) () and pomegranate peel aqueous extract (PAE) supplementation against toluene (Tol)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A phytochemical analysis and assessment of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity were performed for the PJ and the PAE. The study was carried out using 70 rats that were divided into seven groups, each consisting of 10 rats. All groups were treated orally for 6 weeks as follows: Control (C), positive controls (CO: 1.25 mL/kg body weight [BW]; PJ: 4 mL/kg BW; and PAE: 400 mg/kg BW), Tol (550 mg/kg BW), and a mixture each of PJ-Tol and PAE-Tol. At the end of the 45 day of study, the hepatic biochemical markers (transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, albumin, and total proteins) were auto-analyzed, as well as histology and oxidative stress markers of the liver were evaluated.

RESULTS

The phytochemical analysis revealed that the DPPH scavenging activity and the total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents were higher in the pomegranate peel extract versus the juice. The results also showed that Tol significantly increased liver enzyme activities and total bilirubin levels, whereas albumin and total proteins were significantly decreased. Similarly, Tol provoked a significant increase in hepatic malondialdehyde levels, with a decrease in glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase activity. The biochemical changes agreed with the hepatic histological alterations. A significant improvement in all parameters was observed in the PAE-Tol group compared with the PJ-Tol group.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to Tol altered the hepatic antioxidant and biochemical parameters and histological profile of the rats, and PAE was more powerful than PJ in reducing Tol liver injuries through its antioxidant activity.