The Protective Effects of Urtica Dioica against CCl4 Induced Hepatotoxity in Rats

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the preventing effects of Urtica dioica (UD) against liver fibrosis and cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in male wistar rats. Cirrhosis is the final stage of chronic liver disease and leading cause of death worldwide. Urtica dioica is a medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-carcinogenic activities. The healthy age matched male wistar albino rats were used in the study. In this study 24 male albino wistar rats were divided in to four groups (n=6). Group I remained healthy control rats, group II , received CCl4 (0.8 ml/Kg b.w, s.c, for 8 weeks, twice a week), group III received CCl4 (0.8 ml/Kg b.w, s.c, for 8 weeks, twice a week) together with UD(2 ml/kg UD extract i.p daily for 8 weeks), group IV received UD(2 ml/kg UD extract i.p daily for 8 weeks) . Biochemical analysis included total bilirubin, liver enzymes, antioxidant enzymes & MDA.The sixty day treatment of rats with CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity as indicated by enhanced liver enzymes, lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant enzyme levels in CCl4 treated group compared with the control group. Urtica Dioica treatment for sixty days decreased hepatotoxic effects of CCl4 by significantly reducing the elevated liver enzyme, lipid peroxidation and raised the decreased antioxidant levels. The body weights of Group II,III &IV groups were reduced whereas maintained in group I.

The histologic findings indicated portal and periportal fibrosis in CCl4 treated rats with 40% degenerative hepatocytes whereas UD treatment together with CCl4 indicated slight periportal fibrosis, fatty changes with no degenerative hepatocytes.