Merr Methanol Extract Protected Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Sprague-Dawley Rats by Modulating Antioxidant Enzymes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An oral acute toxicity study was carried out following OECD guidelines. Hepatotoxicity was induced by the administration of ethanol for 4 weeks. Hepatic enzymes and oxidative stress biomarkers were determined using commercial diagnostic kits.

RESULTS

Treatment of rats with MECW (800 mg/kg) showed the highest reduction of body weight (4.76 ± 0.372 vs. 16.92 ± 0.846) and liver weight (3.06 ± 0.128 vs 5.55 ± 0.311). Treatment of rats with MECW at 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mg/kg significantly ( < 0.01) reduced SGPT. Similarly, serum SGOT and ALP were significantly decreased by MECW (200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mg/kg). All used doses of MECW significantly increased antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD. MECW (600 and 800 mg/kg) significantly promoted CAT levels in liver tissues; whereas, it significantly diminished oxidative biomarker, MDA. Histopathological observations of the liver showed improvement in the architecture of hepatic cells having signs of protection with a reduced number of inflammatory cells, vascular degeneration and congestion, cellular degeneration, necrosis, and significant reduction of fatty cells accumulation. Acute toxicity study resulted in the well-tolerability and safety of used doses of MECW (200-1000 mg/kg) in rats.

CONCLUSION

Our study clearly demonstrated the hepatoprotective effect of extract against ethanol-induced liver injury in the laboratory rats model.