protective effect of lemon grass and its oil on hepatotoxicity in rats caused by CCL4

ABSTRACT

The present work was conducted to study the effect of lemon grass and its oil on the nutritional value, percent of organs weight/body weight, lipid parameters, glucose, iron status, kidney and liver functions of rats suffering from hepato-toxicity caused by CC1[4]. Six experimental groups [n = 6 for each group] were established. Groups [1 and 2] were fed on basal diets [used as a negative and positive control groups, respectively]. Groups [3- 4] received basal diets containing two levels of lemon grass [2.5 and 5g lemon grass/l00g diet, respectively]. Groups [5-6] received basal diets containing two levels of lemon grass oil [2.5 and 5g lemon grass/l00g diet, respectively]. Before 2 days from the end of the experiment period [28 days], all treated and positive control groups were injected with CC1[4], in paraffin oil [20% at dose 5 ml/kg] subcutaneous injection to induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Addition of lemon grass or its oil to the diets improved the nutritional value, in addition to the percent organs weight/ body weight. The mean values of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-c], very low-density lipoprotein [VLDL-c], uric acid, urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, aspartate amino transferase [AST] and alanine amino transferase [ALT] decreased in all treated groups with lemon grass or its oil, as compared to the positive control groups, while high-density lipoprotein [HDL-c] increased. Histopathological examination of liver in group treated with CC1[4] revealed degenerative and necrotic changes, however, treated groups with lemon grass or its oil showed marked amelioration of the severity of these changes. It was concluded that high level of lemon grass or its oil [5g /l00g diet] realized the best effect on lipid profile, kidney and liver functions, glucose level and iron status