Hepatoprotective Effect of Syzygium aromaticum Extract on Acute Liver Injury Induced by Thioacetamide

Abstract

Dried flower bud of S. aromaticum contains eugenol, gallic acid, ellagic acid, β-sitosterol, ascorbic acid, and other phytoconstituents. This study reports that a 50 % ethanolic extract of S. aromaticum can attenuate liver necrosis in animal model. Liver injury was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide (400 mg/kg b. w.). Oral administration of the extract (800 mg/kg b. w.) for three consecutive days could significantly ameliorate the changes associated with hepatic injury, particularly the levels serum biochemical markers of liver injury and oxidative stress. The protective action may be attributed to eugenol, which has been shown to be present in the test extract. The study has implication in human as rat model of hepatic injury produced by thioacetamide mimics the changes observed in alcohol induced liver injury in human.