RESUMO
OBJECTIVE@#To explore the efficacy of n-hexane extract of Emilia sonchifolia (E. sonchifobia) against ethanol induced pancreatic dysfunction in the young Wistar albino rats.@*METHODS@#The rats were divided into four groups. Control rats in group received distilled water orally, group received oral administration of 20% (w/v) ethanol dissolved in drinking water, group received oral administration of 20% (w/v) ethanol in distilled water+n-hexane extract of E. sonchifolia (250 mg/kg body weight), and group received oral administration of n-hexane extract of E. sonchifolia (250 mg/kg body weight) alone. Liver marker enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), pancreatic enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, non-enzymatic antioxidants glutathione and vitamin C were measured and compared.@*RESULTS@#Administration of 20% ethanol for 16 weeks significantly increased the liver marker enzymes AST, ALT(P<0.05), reduced the pancreatic enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione and vitamin C(P<0.05). Histopathological examination showed that the ethanol provoked the oxidative stress which was demonstrated as pancreatic necrosis and oedema. Simultaneous administration of n-hexane extract of E. sonchifolia (250 mg/kg body weight) protected the pancreas against the damage induced by ethanol which was confirmed by the histopathological studies and the normalization of biochemical parameters.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Thus n-hexane extract of E. sonchifolia shows a promise in therapeutic use in alcohol induced oxidative stress.