Advanced Herbal Medicine (Jan 2017)
Comparison of protective effects of omega3 fish oil and aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root on biochemical factors and liver tissue changes induced by thioacetamide in male rats
Abstract
Background and aims: Thioacetamide can lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. This study was aimed to evaluate the ability of omega3 fish oil and Glycyrrhiza glabra aqueous extract to attenuate biochemical factors and liver tissue changes induced by thioacetamide. Methods: In this experimental study, 63 wistar male rats were divided into 9 groups. Control group, Sham group received 0.4ml olive oil orally per day for 3 months. Thioacetamide group received 150 mg/kg of TAA intraperitoneally in a single dose for 3 months. Experimental groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 received 100, 200, 300 mg/kg of omega3 fish oil and aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root orally per day for 3 months and 150 mg/kg of TAA intraperitoneally in a single dose for 3 months. The provided blood samples were tested for serum levels of bilirubin, albumin, and total protein. The pathological examination of hepatic tissue samples was done after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: Treatment with 100 mg/kg of omega3 fish oil (0.06±0.013) significant reduced the serum level of billirubin comparing with thioacetamide group (0.38±0.015). Treatment with the aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root at all doses (0.37±0.034) (0.34±0.027) (0.15±0.028) showed no significant difference in the serum level of billirubin comparing with thioacetamide group (0.38±0.015). Treatment with the omega3 fish oil (4.40±0.02) (4.32±0.10) (4.34±0.10) and aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root at all doses (4.33±0.06) (4.31±0.5) (4.20±0.07) significant reduced the serum level of albumin comparing with thioacetamide group (4.70±0.00). The mean levels of total protein showed no significant difference in the experimental groups (8.77±0.31) (8.53±0.20) (8.63±0.24) (8.58±0.05) (8.57±0.10) (7.92±0.21) comparing with thioacetamide group (8.56±0.08). In all experimental groups, the hepatic tissue changes induced by thioacetamide improved which were dose dependent (P<0.05). Conclusion: The study suggests that biochemical factors and liver tissue changes induced by thioacetamide in male rats can be ameliorated by oral administration of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root and omega3 fish oil.
