Protective effect of dietary inclusion of Aegle marmelos fruit on gentamicin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Background: The present study was undertaken to investigate the modulatory efficacy of dietary inclusion of Aegle marmelos fruit against gentamicin-induced liver injury in Wistar albino rats. Methods: The animals were divided into five groups and each containing six animals. Group I and Group II received basal diets and basal diets with 4% w/w A. marmelos, respectively. Group III, Group IV, and Group V fed basal diets, basal diets containing 2% w/w, and 4% w/w A. marmelos, respectively for 27 days before gentamicin administration. The intraperitoneal administration of gentamicin (100 mg/kg body weight) for 3 days leads to disturbed the hepato-specific serum markers. Liver functions were measured by the valuation of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum acid phosphatase (ACP), and total bilirubin. The oxidative stress parameter and antioxidant markers were also evaluated. Moreover, histopathological evaluation was performed to assess liver case regarding inflammatory infiltration or necrosis. Results: Gentamicin produced significant changes in liver marker enzymes (increase in SGOT, SGPT, ALP, ACP, and bilirubin level) and histological (damage to hepatocytes). Gentamicin also leads to significant changes in the level of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase in liver homogenate. The administration of basal diet supplemented with 2% and 4% A. marmelos to rats significantly reversed the above changes compared to the control group as observed in the gentamicin-treated rats. Conclusions: The results propose that dietary inclusion of A. marmelos fruits possesses promising hepatoprotective effects and could protect the liver against gentamicin-induced hepatic injury.