الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Background: Paracetamol (PCT) is one of the most spread utilized medications, with riches of expertise obviously demonstrating that it is an antipyretic and analgesic from mild to moderate pain. A large overdose may cause severe and occasionally fatal liver damage, Liver injury and organ toxicity has been observed in human and laboratory animals as a result of treatment with PCT. The present study has been conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective role of Aloe vera or Moringa olifera on PCT-caused hepatotoxicity. Material and Methods: Animals were divided into four groups. These groups were sacrified after PCT-administration. The experimental groups were designated as following: group 1: This group was regarded as normal control group and was given the equivalent volume of dist. Water as a single dose daily by gastric intubation (stomach tube). group 2: It was given dose of PCT 500 mg/kg b.w. dissolved in distilled Water by gastric intubation daily for 4 weeks. group 3: The rats of this group were administered dose of PCT(500 mg/kg b.w.) daily for a period of 6 weeks and were also treated with Aloe vera (500 mg /kg b. w. /day), dissolved in dist. Water by gastric intubation daily for 6 weeks. group 4: The rats of this group were administered dose of PCT (500 mg/kg b. w.) daily for a period of 6 weeks and were also treated with Moringa olifera (400 mg /kg b. w. /day), dissolved in dist. water, by gastric intubation daily for 6 weeks. At the terminus of the experiment, six rats of each group were slayed under mild diethyl ether anesthesia. Blood from each rat was collected from jugular vein in a centrifuge tube and left to clot at room temperature for 45 minutes. Sera were separated by centrifugation at 3000 r.p.m. at 30ºC for 15 minutes and kept frozen at -30ºC pending biochemical analyses. Liver from each animal was rapidly excised after dissection. Sera were quickly removed for subsequent biochemical analysis for liver functions that include (GGT, ALP, AST, ALT, total protein and albumin), (total, direct and indirect) Bilirubin, kidney functions that include (urea, creatinine and uric acid), heart function parameters in serum that include LDH and CK-MB, pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) and alfa feto protein (AFP). Interleukins (Interleukin 1β and Interleukin 6), liver tissues were quickly excised after dissection of the animals. Part of these tissues was homogenized for determination of glutathione (GSH) content, lipid peroxidation (MDA) and activity of antioxidant enzyme including Catalase. Results: The results exhibited that PCT leads to a marked elevation in the activities of serum enzymes of liver function (AST, ALT, ALP and GGT) and (total, direct and indirect) Bilirubin together with a decrease in total protein and albumin concentration. Also, PCT caused a marked decrease in urea and creatinine and elevation of uric acid for kidney function parameters, elevation of heart function parameters (LDH and CK_MB), and elevation of TNF-α and AFP, and elevation of Interleukins (Interleukin 1β and Interleukin 6). The treatment with Aloe vera or Moringa olifera remarkably improved the deleterious effect of PCT on oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system. That was reflected by increase of glutathione and decrease in lipid peroxidation with constant catalase. Conclusion: Taken these data together, it can be concluded that Aloe vera or Moringa olifera could protect liver, kidney and heart against PCT-induced hepato-nephro-cardiotoxicity. The hepatic glutathione content and antioxidant activities may play a central role in the hepato-nephro-cardioprotection against PCT-induced toxicity. Nevertheless, more clinical studies are demanded to evaluate safety, benefits and hazards of Aloe vera or Moringa olifera in human beings. |