Acacia Arabica Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Albino Mice

Abstract

Objective: In quest of alcoholic hepatotoxicity cure, using the albino mice as model compared the structural characterizations induced in hepatocytes with ethanol alone and its combination with Acacia arabica.

Study Design: Comparative analytical study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Anatomy Department UHS Lahore from October 2015 to November 2015.

Materials and Methods: Twenty one male albino mice were distributed into three equal groups; group A was run as control, group B was served with ethanol5gm/kg/day for 6 weeks. Group C was pretreated with extract of Acacia arabica leaves 200mg/kg/day followed 30 minutes later with treatment by ethanol 5gm/kg/day, for 6 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at the end of experimental period for assessing liver enzymes. Five micron thick serial sections of liver were taken and stained with H & E and PAS for microscopic examination.

Results: Group B showed an increase in serum ALT, AST and GGT levels; overall structure of liver was disturbed; necrosis, pyknosis, apoptosis and vacuoles were evident. An improvement in the level of liver enzymes and liver histology was noticed in mice of group C, indicating protective effect of leaves extract of Acacia arabica.

Conclusion: Prior treatment with aqueous extract of leaves of Acacia arabica showed hepato-protection against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.