Ameliorating Effect of Green Tea Aqueous Extract against Histo pathophysiological Changes Induced by Ciprofibrate in the liver of Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Background: The liver is a specific target for drug toxicity because of its role in removal and metabolism of chemicals by converting drugs into another forms that can be readily removed from the body. It is known that the main function of the liver is the elimination of toxins that may enter the body, thus becoming vulnerable damaged during this mechanism, which can be revealed as bleeding, congestion, necrosis or other conditions of liver injury. Ciprofibrate belongs to widely used class of lipid-regulating agents, which stimulate hepatic cells and the hepatic cell becomes uncontrollably divided, causing liver growth. It causes liver cell proliferation in addition to other pleiotropic effects such as peroxisome proliferation and induction of certain peroxisomal and cytosolic enzymes in liver. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of green tea aqueous extract administration against the biochemical and histological alterations induced in the liver by ciprofibrate in male rats. Materials and Methods: In the current study 3 groups of 6 male rats were used (Control group, 100mg\Kg body weight, and Cipro 100mg\Kg body weight with green tea). The rats have been treated daily orally by gavages for 21 days. On the last day of the experiment the animals were killed then blood samples and parts from the liver were collected. Liver function was examined for the serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphates (ALP), enzyme activities, and serum total & direct bilirubin concentrations. The histopathological investigation was conducted for the liver tissues of all groups. Results: Treatment of male rats with 100 mg\Kg body weight of ciprofibrate caused a significant increase in serum ALT, AST, and ALP activities, total, and direct bilirubin concentration. Histologically, there were histological changes in central vein area and portal zones, revealed congestion in blood sinusoids, necrosis in hepatic cells, and damage in central vein lining epithelium. Co-administration of green tea aqueous extract with Ciprofibrate significantly improved the structural changes in the liver and the serum ALT, AST, and ALP activities, total, and direct bilirubin concentrations were significantly declined. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Ciprofibrate treatment induced elevation in liver function tests and severe histopathological changes and green tea aqueous extract was able to protect the liver against these effects in male rats. So, the patients should be advised to take green tea aqueous extract while they are treated by ciprofibrate.