Comparative Hematological and Biochemical Studies on the Effect of Some Hepatoprotective Agents in Rats

Abstract

This work was conducted to investigate the hepato-protective effect of chamomile extract, grape seed extract and Silymarin against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic toxicity in rats. A total of 80 normal male albino rats, were divided into 8 groups, the first group (group I): rats served as the control group and received commercial balanced diet all over the experimental period (3 weeks), group II: chamomile orally treated group (200mg/kg,) for the whole experimental period, group III: grape seed orally treated group (100mg/kg), for the whole experimental period, group IV: silymarin orally treated group (100mg/kg) for the whole experimental period, group V: served as hepatotoxicated group, treated with an intraperitoneal injection of 2mg /kg b. w. of carbon tetrachloride(CCl 4) dissolved into corn oil 1:1 at 11 and 12 days of an experiment to induce hepato-toxicity and groupVI: chamomile orally pretreated group (200mg/kg) for the whole experimental period with i/p injection of CCl 4 in days 11 and 12 of the experiment, group VII: grape seed orally pretreated group (100mg/kg) for the whole experimental period, with i/p injection of CCl 4 in days 11 and 12 of the experiment and group VIII: silymarin orally pretreated group (100mg/kg) for the whole experimental period, with i/p injection of CCl 4 in days 11 and 12 of the experiment. Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of oral administration of ethanol extract of chamomile capitula extract, grape seed and silymarin for 3 weeks on hepatotoxicity induced to rats by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4). These effects were explored by measuring erythrogram and serum levels of liver enzymes; aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP); albumin, globulin, total protein, cholesterol, bilirubin, albumin. Results: The results showed that the oral administration of chamomile extract, a grape seed extract, and silymarin to hepato-injured rats for 21 days improved anemia and significantly decreased the elevated serum levels of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP), total bilirubin and increased serum total protein, albumin, when compared to the corresponding control, positive groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that the chamomile extract, grape seed extract, and silymarin induce potent hepato-protective effects in CCl 4 induced hepato-injury in rats. This study recommends that intake of chamomile and grape seed extracts as an herbal may be beneficial for patients who suffer from liver diseases.