Protective Effect of Earthworms (Pheretima hawayana Rosa and Allolobophora caliginosa Savigny) Methanolic Extract on Acrylamide Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the protective potentials of earthworm extract (EE) against acrylamide-induced hepatorenal toxicity. Forty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10). G І (control): were received distilled water (D.W); G ІІ: rats were administered acrylamide (ACR; 5 mg/kg B.W in D.W) orally for 3 weeks; G ІІІ: rats were given EE (300 mg/kg B.W in D.W) orally for 3 weeks; G ІV: rats were pretreated with EE for 3 weeks, then co-treated by EE and ACR for an additional 3 weeks. The results showed that acrylamide increased serum ALT, AST, total bilirubin, urea, and creatinine, while decreased albumin and total proteins. Acrylamide resulted in congestion of central veins and hepatic sinusoids, and hydropic degeneration of most hepatocytes. Also, ACR caused inflammatory cells infiltration in hepatic sinusoids and areas of coagulative necrosis infiltrated by inflammatory cells. Furthermore, ACR lead to alteration in kidney tissue via shrinkage of glomerular tuft with increased Bowman's space. Also, ACR lead to congestion and inflammatory cells infiltration of interstitial tissue, renal tubules with desquamated renal epithelium in their lumen forming epithelial casts. Acrylamide caused degenerative changes of some epithelial cells lining the renal tubules, other cells showed necrosis. EE recovered hepatic and renal histopathological and biochemical alterations induced by ACR. In Conclusion: Earthworm extract ameliorated acrylamide-induced hepatorenal toxicity.