Hepato-Preventive Effects of Hydroethanolic Leaves Extract of Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae) “Avocado” against Antouka Super®Induced Damage in Male Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effects of Hydroethanolic leaves extract of Persea americana (HEPA) against Antouka Super®(AS) induced hepatotoxicity in male Japanese quail. In total, 40 immature male Japanese quails aged 28 days were used and divided equally into 5 groups. The groups were designed as the control group (received only a 10 ml/kg of distilled water) and the AS group (75 mg/kg b.w). Other three groups received AS (75 mg of AS/kg b.w) plus HEPA (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg b.w/day respectively) by the oral route. After 60 days of the experiment, the crushed liver was performed to obtain homogenate. The protective effects of HEPA on the biochemical parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers and histology changes in the liver were evaluated. The results indicated that AS treatment caused significant alterations in the clinical signs and behavior. It induces the increase in the content of Urea, Creatinine, Protein, AST and ALT in liver tissues and serum. The activities of enzymatic oxidative stress markers such as Superoxide Dismutase (SOD); Catalase (CAT) and Total Peroxidase (POD) also showed significant perturbations in AS-treated quails. Histopathological examination of the liver of AS-treated quails revealed liver lesions characterized by moderate to severe degenerative changes showing a number of hepatocytes undergo fatty changes, focal aggregation of the lymphocytes, multiple necrotic changes and inflammatory infiltrate. The administration of HEPA however, markedly ameliorated the toxicity of AS by protecting the levels of aforesaid biomarkers to near normal levels. These results suggested that HEPA due to its phytochemical constituents with antioxidant properties possesses significant effects against AS-induced toxicity. However, these effects were more pronounced at a dose of 200 mg/kg bw.