Hepatoprotective effect of the ethanolic extract of Anethum graveolens L. on paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in rats

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of the Anethum graveolens L. extract on paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in rats. Thirty rats were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats. Group I served as control that received 5% tween 80. Group II and III was pre-treated with 5% tween 80, for 7 day before 3g/kg BW of paracetamol was administered on day 8 whereas group III also received N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) at 2 hours after paracetamol administered. Group IV and V were pre-treated with 1g/kg and 500mg/kg of the plant extract respectively for 7 days following by 3g/kg BW of paracetamol on day 8. The extract was examined for antioxidant effects by DPPH radical scavenging activity while the biochemical parameters such as serum Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT) and histopathological examination were determinated at the end of the experimental period. The result showed that the ethanolic extract has the antioxidant activity with the EC50 value by DPPH radical scavenging activity is 97.66+5.65µg/ml. Moreover, the ethanolic extract has a hepatoprotective action by decreasing the AST and ALT levels in Group IV and V. Moreover, hepatotoxicity was observed in rats treated with paracetamol alone as shown by hepatic steatosis and hepatic necrosis while these were reduced in the pre-treatment with ethanolic extract and NAC treatment rats. In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of Anethum graveolens L. has an antioxidant activity and exhibits hepatoprotective effect against paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in rats.