Hepatoprotective Effects of Mulberries and Cape gooseberry on Thioacetamide Induced Liver Injury in Rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of black mulberry, white mulberry and cape gooseberry on the thioacetamide (TAA)-induced rats hepatocytes damage in vivo. The data showed that significant differences in the total phenolics and total flavonoids content, between the black mulberry, white mulberry and cape gooseberry. These findings revealed that black mulberry had more total antioxidant activity. The highest levels of glucose, fructose and arabinose were detected in white mulberry. The 54 male albino rats used separately into nine groups of 6 rats each group for 4 weeks as follows: Group 1 served as a normal control. Groups 2-9: Rats injected with TAA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) twice a week. Group 2 kept as positive control. Groups 3 and 4 were given 5 and 10 ml/kg b.w rat of black mulberry. Group 5 and 6 were administered 5 and 10 ml/kg b.w rat of white mulberry. Groups 7 and 8 received 5 and 10 ml/kg b.w rat of cape gooseberry. Finally, Group 9 was treated daily with silymarin (100 mg/kg). The effects were compared with a known hepatoprotective agent and silymarin. Alteration in the morphological and the levels of biochemical markers of hepatic damage were studied in the groups. TAA has elevated the liver function, kidney function, lipid profile and MDA levels and reduced the serum levels of albumin, HDL cholesterol, and CAT. Treatments with black mulberry, white mulberry and cape gooseberry juices brought back the altered levels of biochemical markers to the near normal levels at doses independently. Histological examination of the liver tissues confirmed the hepatoprotective effect of fruits juices. These results were documented by the amelioration signs in rat’s hepatic architecture. Conclusion: our study demonstrated the ameliorative effects of black mulberry, white mulberry and cape gooseberry juices against TAA induced hepatotoxicity in rats.