Effect of azadirachta indica NEEM extract on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity

ABSTRACT

This work aimed to investigate the effect of water soluble extract on rats given hepatotoxic dose of paracetamol on histological and biochemical basis. The animals were divided into four groups, each was 12 rats. The first group received neem extract and paracetamol, the second group was given neem extract and saline, the third group was given paracetamol and the last group received saline and served as controls. The liver of each animal was examined histologically and part of it was homogenized and the homogenate was used to determine the liver enzymes, GOT, GPT and albumin. Also, the homogenate was used to determine the degree of oxidant stress by determination of total thiols and catalase. The histological results showed that the hepatotoxic effects of paracetamol were greatly ameliorated by the plant extract. Biochemically, this was shown by the significant decrement of liver enzymes GOT and GPT and the degree of oxidant stress manifested by increased levels of total thiols and catalase. Thus, these data supported the hepatoprotective effect of the plant on paracetamol induced toxicity