Hepatic function status of acidified ethanol induced wister rats treated with ethylacetate extract of Abrus precatorius Linn. seeds

Ethanol metabolism by the liver differentially impairs hepatic functions. This study investigated the attenuating potential of Abrus precatorius seeds on liver damage in HCl/EtOH induced rats and evaluated the prophylactic potential of ethylacetate extract of A. precatorius on the hepatic function of acidified ethanol induced rats.

Rats were pre-treated with ethylacetate extract of A. precatorius seeds and standard drugs for eight consecutive days and 0.15M HCl/EtOH (60%) (1:1) was administered once on the 8th day. Biochemical assay, mRNA expression and liver histo-pathological studies were performed using standard procedures.

HCl/EtOH induction significantly (p <0.05) raised hepatic alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase activities that were ameliorated by pre-treatment with 100 and 200mg/kg b.w of A. precatorius seeds extract. The significant (p <0.05) up-regulation of CYP2D3, CYP3A4 and GGT mRNA expression in the liver tissues of HCl/EtOH induced rats were successfully down-regulated upon pre-treatment with the extract. The micro-morphological alteration characterized by severe congestion of central venules and sinusoids, fibrosis at the portal veins and presence of inflammatory cells observed in HCl/EtOH induced rats was reversed by pre-treatment with A. precatorius seeds.

Acidified ethanol used for ulcerative induction could result in liver injury in rats; pre-treatment with A. precatorius seeds extract could exert hepato-protective efficacy.