Protective role of lycopene on blood haematology parameters in liver cirrhosis: Study in rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of lycopene supplementation on blood haematology parameters in thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis. Experimental period consisted of 12 weeks, divided into two phases. For this purpose 24 male albino wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups (n=6). Group I served as control or untreated group, Group II received thioacetamide (200mg/kg b.w, i.p, twice a week) for 6 weeks in the first phase and then saline in the second phase (for next six weeks). Group III received thioacetamide (200mg/kg b.w) in the first phase and lycopene (200 mg/kg b.w) in the second phase. Group IV received saline in the first phase and lycopene in the second phase. Biochemical evaluation was carried out by estimation of blood haematology parameters. Six weeks thioacetamide induction resulted in decreased levels of red blood cells, procalcitonin, P-LCR, Platelets, lymphocytes, MCH, MCHC, Hct and MPV whereas significant increased levels of white blood cells, MID, Granulocytes, MCV, RDW% and PDW% were found. Lycopene supplementation restored these altered values in the thioacetamide +lycopene treated group. Thus, confirms the protective effects of lycopene on blood haematology parameters in liver cirrhosis.

Protective role of coffee supplementation in liver cirrhosis: Study in rats

Present study was designed to evaluate the effects of coffee on liver function tests and liver antioxidant enzymes in thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis in rats. Experimental study period was consisted of eighteen weeks divided into two phases. Therefore 24 rats were distributed randomly into four groups (n=6). Group I served as control. In phase I, group II and III received thioacetamide (200mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally twice a week) and group IV received saline for 12 weeks. In phase II, group II received saline while group III and IV received an oral dose of coffee (0.4mg/Kg b.w) daily for 6 weeks. At the end of the study period rats were sacrificed and blood was collected to get serum and liver was homogenized for the determination of antioxidant enzymes. Marked increase in serum total and direct bilirubin, ALT, AST whereas reduced ALP was observed in test group. The reduced tissue SOD activity and increased tissue catalase and tissue MDA activity were also observed in test group. However, coffee consumption in group III in phase II significantly restored liver biomarkers and the tissue antioxidant enzymes SOD, catalase and MDA activities. In conclusion, thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis can be prevented by coffee supplementation.

The protective effect of fenugreek seeds extract supplementation on glucose and lipid profile in thioacetamide induced liver damage in rats

The present study was designed to determine the hepatoprotective effects of fenugreek seeds extract supplementation on thioacetamide induced liver damage in rats. For this purpose 24 male Sprague Dawley rats were distributed into 4 groups (n=60. Group I remained untreated throughout the study. Group II and Group III received thioacetamide intraperitoneally 200mg/kg body weight on alternative days for 8 weeks. Group III and Group IV received 2ml of 2% Fenugreek seeds extract orally daily from 4th week till 8th week of the study. Next day after completion of study, the rats were weighted and decapitated; blood was collected for plasma for glucose and lipid profile analysis. Marked reduced plasma glucose level and HDL level and increased triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and total lipid level were observed in test group. The Fenugreek seeds extract supplementation significantly increased plasma glucose and HDL level and remarkably decreased triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and total lipid level in Test+Supplement group whereas glucose and lipid profile were reduced in supplement group showing supplement is hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic. The results of this study confirmed that treatment with Fenugreek seeds extract successively ameliorates the altered glucose and lipid profile in liver damage induced by thioacetamide in male rats.

Hepatoprotective role of curcumin in rat liver cirrhosis

The present research work was designed to evaluate the effects of curcumin supplementation on various biochemical parameters in rats with thioacetamide (TAA) induced liver cirrhosis. For this purpose 24 male Albino Wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups (n=6).Group I served as control, Group II and Group III received thioacetamide 200mg/kg b.w, i.p, twice a week for 12 weeks in first phase. In second phase Group II received saline and Group III received curcumin 50mg/kg b.w/day, i.p for 12 weeks, in second phase, Group IV received curcumin 50mg/kg b.w/day, i.p, for 12 weeks, in first phase and saline in second phase. Evaluation of histopathological and biochemical parameters was carried out by liver histopathology and estimation of total and direct bilirubin, liver specific enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, MDA level, plasma and intraerythrocyte sodium and potassium respectively. Histopathology of liver showed highest degree of fibrosis and nodule formation, significant alteration in biochemical parameters indicated development of severe liver cirrhosis. Curcumin treatment showed reduced amount of fibrosis and significant reduction in level of liver biomarkers, reversal of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GSH), MDA level, catalase activity and regain of electrolyte homeostasis. These findings confirm the protective role of curcumin in liver cirrhosis.

Prevention of liver cirrhosis by Silymarin

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of sylimarin supplementation on different biochemical parameters in thioacetamide induced cirrhotic rats. For this purpose 24 male Albino wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=6). Group I, remained healthy control rats, Group II, received thioacetamide (at a dose of 200mg/kg b.w, i.p, for 12 weeks, twice a week) in first phase and saline in second phase, Group III, received thioacetamide (200mg/kg b.w, i.p for 12 weeks, twice a week) in first phase and silymarin (orally at a dosage of 200mg/kg b.w, twice a week, for 8 weeks) in second phase and Group IV, received silymarin (orally at a dosage of 200mg/kg b.w, twice a week, for 8 weeks) in first phase and saline in second phase. Biochemical analysis was evaluated by total and direct bilirubin (Retiman and Franhel, 1957, Sherlock, 1951), liver specific enzymes, antioxidant enzymes [SOD (Kono et al., 1978), Catalase (Sinha et al., 1979), Glutathione reductase (Calberg and Mannervik, 1985) and MDA (Okhawa et al., 1979)] and plasma and intraerythrocyte sodium and potassium (Tabssum et al., 1996). Marked increase in total and direct bilirubin and ALT activity was the indicative markers of liver cirrhosis while reduced antioxidant activity (SOD and GSH) and increased MDA and Catalase levels and disturbed electrolyte homeostasis were observed in cirrhotic group. Silymarin supplementation markedly reduced total bilirubin and ALT activity and restored the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GSH), MDA and catalase activity and electrolyte homeostasis. These results indicate that silymarin successively attenuates the thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis.