Ability of aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera to effectively alleviate paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in experimental Wister albino rats

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the preventive, protective and ameliorative activity of the aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera L. (P. dactylifera) against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: A total of 50 male albino rats were used for the study and 2 g/kg body weight of paracetamol and 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of P. dactylifera were administered orally for the study. They were divided into 5 groups, namely group A (vehicle control), group B (paracetamol control), group C (preventive), group D (ameliorative) and group E (protective), with 10 rats in each group. Group B was administered with paracetamol for 7 days; group C was administered with the extract for 7 days before administering with paracetamol for 7 days; group D was administered with paracetamol for 7 days, then the extract for 7 days; while group E was administered with paracetamol and the extract simultaneously for 7days. Results: The study revealed that the extracts of date palms contained active chemical compounds such as anthocyanins, phenolics, sterols, carotenoids and flavonoids. The levels of antioxidant enzymes activity such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase were found to be reduced while malondialdehyde level was significantly increased in the paracetamol-treated group. This trend was reversed in groups where the extract was administered, as the antioxidant enzymes level in the liver was raised. Conclusions: This study has shown that the aqueous extract of P. dactylifera can mitigate the hepatotoxicity effect of paracetamol with a better ameliorating effect than protective or preventive.