Hepatoprotective effect of seabuckthorn leaf-extract in lead acetate-intoxicated Wistar rats

The present study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) leaf-extract (SLE) supplementation in lead acetate-intoxicated Wistar rats. Adult male Wistar rats (n = 35) were divided into five equal groups as per completely randomized design. Group I was kept as a control, group II received 250 ppm lead acetate in drinking water, and group III received SLE at 100 mg/kg body weight per os. Animals in group IV and group V received lead acetate at 250 ppm in drinking water for the first 45 days. Additionally, group IV received SLE at 100 mg/kg body weight per os throughout the experiment, whereas group V received SLE at 100 mg/kg body weight per os during the last 15 days of the trial. Blood samples were collected on day zero and at the 45th and 60th day to study the liver function enzymes. Lead exposure caused increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and liver weight, and hepatic oxidative stress in lead acetate-intoxicated groups (groups II, IV, and V) as compared to group I. SLE on simultaneous supplementation with lead acetate (group IV) exerted a protective effect against lead toxicity. SLE supplemented after the establishment of lead acetate-toxicity (group V) also reduced the AST, ALT, and ALP activity and hepatic oxidative stress, indicating its ameliorative effect. SLE supplementation at 100 mg/kg body weight per os protects against hepatic damage caused by 250 ppm lead acetate in the drinking water of Wistar rats.