Hepatoprotective effect of aqueous extract of Hyphaene thebaica (Doum fruit) on paracetamol-induced liver injury in albino rats

Abstract

This study was done to determine the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of Hyphaene thebaica in paracetamol-induced liver injury in albino rats. Level of liver marker enzymes such as AST, ALT and ALP and level of some biochemical parameters such as albumin, urea and creatinine were assayed in rats fed with aqueous extract of Hyphaene thebaica. Acute toxicity study (LD50) was first evaluated in rats before the commencement of the main study. Silymarin at a dose of 50mg/kg was used as positive control. The aqueous extract of Hyphaene thebaica was administered to animals daily by intubation for seven days at 250 mg/kg and 500mg/kg. All treatments were carried out for 7 days and paracetamol intoxication was done 3 hours after the last dose. All animals were euthanized 24 hours after the last treatment, blood was collected and used for estimation of biochemical parameters such as liver enzymes (alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and level of serum albumin, creatinine and urea. The results indicated that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in levels of ALP in all the groups in comparison to the control group. Both urea and creatinine levels were increased significantly by paracetamol intoxication but both were decreased significantly by the administration of aqueous extract of H. thebaica.