Beneficial effect of Trichopus zeylanicus extract on mercuric chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Background: The present study aimed to determine the effect of Trichopus zeylanicus leaf extract (TZ Et) on mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced liver toxicity in rats.

Methods: Wistar albino male rats were divided into four groups. Group I was administered physiological saline as a vehicle control. Group II was administered HgCl2 (0.4 mg/kg body weight/day) intraperitoneally for 20 days. Groups III and IV were administered TZ Et orally (100 mg/kg body weight/day) for 20 days with or without intraperitoneal administration of HgCl2. Serum hepatic marker enzymes, enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants, liver functional markers, lipid peroxidation, and liver histology were evaluated.

Results: The toxic effect of HgCl2 was indicated by the significantly (p<0.05) increased serum marker enzymes, liver functional markers, and lipid peroxidation. The activities of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants were significantly (p<0.05) decreased. TZ Et significantly (p<0.05) prevented these pathological alterations as observed by histology.

Conclusions: The present study concludes that TZ Et has the ability to alleviate the hepatotoxic effects caused by HgCl2 in rats.