مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی بیرجند (Dec 2015)
Protective Effect of the Persian Gulf brittle star Ophiocoma Erinaceus extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage in adult male Wistar rats
Abstract
Background and Aim: Brittle star possess bioactive compounds which confer the wound healing capacity and regenerative potency of damaged arms and organisms to this creature. The aim of the current study was to assess the protective effect of the star extract on liver damages induced by carbon tetrachloride in adult male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 32 adult male rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: control, Sham exposed, experimental 1 (treated with %25 extract) and experimental 2 (treated with %50 extract) of star Ophiocoma Erinaceus. The control group received no treatment. The sham exposed groups received carbon tetrachloride .(50% in olive oil) .0.5 ml/kg for 7 days. The experimental groups firstly received carbon tetrachloride, then received %25, %50 brittle star extract as intragastric for 7 days. Finally, the animals were sacrificed, and their bodies and livers were weighed. Then, the livers sections were prepared and were examined by means of light microscope. Finally, the obtained quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS (V; 20), Mini Tab software, ANOVA, and Tukey. at the significant level of P<0.001. Results: Carbon tetrachloride significantly decreased the rats’ body weight, but it increased their livers weight (P<0.001). Histopathological evaluations showed .extensive liver damage. On the other hand, treatment with brittle star extract .ncreased liver weight, reduced. body weight and significantly altered other induced changes by carbon tetrachloride on liver structure such as hepatocytes number, Kupffer cells, and arteritis, which indicated the improvement of damaged liver tissue (P<0.001). Conclusion: It was found that brittle star extract can exert protective effects on liver damages induced by carbon tetrachloride on male Wistar rat.
