Histological study of adult male albino rats’ hepatocytes after formaldehyde administration and the possible protective role of dill oil

Abstract

Background There have been numerous studies on formaldehyde-induced health problems including the hepatocytes. It has been estimated that the general population is exposed to food and products of daily use that contain formaldehyde in a concentration that is presumed to be safe. Meanwhile, many herbs have been used for the treatment of liver diseases. Dill, for instance, has been potently used for its various biologically active constituents. Aim The present study was performed to investigate, histologically and biochemically, the safety of 0.2% formaldehyde on the hepatocytes of adult male rats. The study was further extended to determine the possible protective role of dill oil. Materials and methods The study was carried out on 20 rats (120–150 g), which were randomly divided into three groups. Group I (the control group) included 10 rats and was further subdivided into two equal subgroups: subgroup Ia and subgroup Ib. Each rat received distilled water (1 ml/kg body weight) and dill oil orally (1 ml/kg body weight), respectively. Group II included five rats, and each received 1 ml of 0.2% formaldehyde. Group III included five rats that received similar dose as group II accompanied by the same dose of dill oil as subgroup Ib. All treatments were given daily by means of gavage for 8 weeks. All animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last administration. Liver functions were assessed biochemically and histologically using both light and electron microscopes. Results The study depicted that serum levels of hepatic transaminases were significantly elevated in group II compared with group I. However, in group III, they were nearly similar to that reported in group I. This was accompanied by noticeable histological changes in group II. Coadministration of dill oil showed considerable preservation of the histology of hepatocytes. Conclusion A volume of 0.2% formaldehyde caused changes in the hepatocytes that could be prevented by dill oil coadministration.