ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the effect of stem extract of Opuntia ficus-indica on experimentally induced liver fibrosis by the hepatotoxicant thioacetamide (TAA) in male albino mice. The experimental mice were divided into four groups. The mice of the first group served as normal control, while the experimental animals of the second group were given 150 mg/kg of body weight of TAA by intraperitoneal injection, twice weekly, for 8 weeks. The mice of the third group were exposed to TAA and supplemented with O. ficus-indica stem extract orally. The animals of the fourth group were supplemented with O. ficus-indica stem extract only. The plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase were measured. The results showed significantly increased levels of the aforementioned enzymes. Histopathological evaluations of hepatic sections from mice treated with TAA showed severe alterations including increase of fibrogenesis processes with structural damage. Concomitant administration of ficus-indica stem extract with TAA reduced the extent and development of fibrous septa, liver cells change, and biochemical alterations in mice. The present findings suggest that the supplementation of these extract may act as antioxidant agents and could be an excellent adjuvant support in the therapy of hepatic fibrosis. Keywords: Opuntia ficus-indica, Hepatic cirrhosis, Thioacetamide, Albino mice, Saudi Arabia

https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2019/February/MS_IJBPAS_2019_4638.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2019/8.2.4638