Abstract
Background: The analgesic acetaminophen (AAP) causes a potentially fatal, hepatic centrilobular necrosis when taken in overdose. It was reported that these toxic effects of AAP are due to oxidative reactions that take place during its metabolism. Ginkgo Biloba (GB) has been used in traditional medicine to treat circulatory disorders and enhance memory. Ginkgo contains two types of chemicals (flavonoids and terpenoids) believed to have potent antioxidant property which is claimed to be one of the mechanisms of hepatoprotective effect.
The aim of the current article was to investigate the possible protective and anti-oxidant effects of Ginkgo Biloba on experimentally induced hepatic toxicity in rats. Silymarin was used in the current study as a standard hepatoprotective agent for comparison with Ginkgo Biloba.
Materials and Methods: Adult male albino rats were randomly divided into4 groups: group (1) normal control group, group (2) treated with acetaminophen500mg/kg, IP to induced hepatotoxicity, group (3)Ginkgo Biloba treated hepatotoxic group (50 mg/kg/IP/10 days, three days before and seven days after acetaminophen administration), group(4)silymarin treated hepatotoxic group (200 mg/kg / PO/d/10 days , three days before and seven days after acetaminophen administration). At the end of the study period, blood samples and liver tissues were collected and subjected to the biochemical and histopathological examination. Liver functions and oxidative stress markers in liver tissues were assessed. In addition, histopathological examination of liver was also carried out.
Results: Acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity was manifested by a significant elevation of activity of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase(ALP).There was significant decrease in serum albumin .At the same time, there was a significant increase of lipid peroxidation measured as malondialdehyde( MDA), decrease of antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) contents in liver tissue homogenate. Results of the present work revealed that the rats treated with Ginkgo biloba or silymarin showed significant improvement of the liver function, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant impairment when compared with acetaminophen treated rats. The biochemical observations were supported by histopathological examination of liver.
Conclusion: Ginkgo Biloba is as effective as sylimarin as hepatoprotective agent. The therapeutic benefits may be attributed to its antioxidant effect.
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