Hepatoprotective Activity of Ethanolic Fruit Extract of A. comosus in Paracetamol Induced Liver Toxicity in Rats

Abstract

The present study was undertaken for investigating the hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic fruit extract of Ananas
comosus in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity model in albino wistar rats. Silymarin was used as a standard
hepatoprotective drug (100 mg/kg p.o). Ethanolic fruit extract of A. comosus (200 mg/kg p.o. & 400 mg/kg p.o)
was administered one hour before the administration of paracetamol, once daily for 21 days. Liver biomarkers
such as SGPT, SGOT, ALP, serum total bilirubin & total protein were elevated in the paracetamol group.
Treatments with ethanolic fruit extract of A. comosus at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced liver
biomarker enzymes. Histopathological reports revealed that administration of paracetamol caused degeneration
of fatty cysts, infiltration of lymphocytes, proliferation of kupffer cells and congestion of liver sinusoids.
Upon treatment with ethanolic fruit extract of A. comosus, normal hepatic globular architecture, less lymphatic
infiltration and normal kupffer cells proliferation were observed, suggesting that ethanolic fruit extract of A.
comosus protects the liver from adverse conditions. Hence, the ethanolic fruit extract of A. comosus possesses
hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg.