Biological Evaluation of Prickly Pear Peels and Seeds (Opuntia ficus-indica) in CCL4-intoxicated Rats

This investigation was conducted to study the effects of feeding on prickly pear peels (PPP) and prickly pear seeds (PPS) at levels of 5, 10, and 15% for starch on body weight, serum liver function enzymes, serum lipid profile, and antioxidant enzymes in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intoxicated rats. Results showed that substitution of (PPP) and (PPS) for starch, especially at 10 and 15% in CCl4 intoxicated rats, increased body weight gain. This substitution also decreased the levels of serum liver function enzymes, improved lipid profiles, and increased the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes in CCl4 intoxicated rats. Histopathological examination revealed alleviation of hepatic lesions caused by CCl4 by increasing the percentage of PPP and PPS used. In conclusion, it was suggested that PPP and PPS could protect the liver cells from CCl4 induced liver damages perhaps, by its antioxidative effect on hepatocytes, hence eliminating the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites from CCl4. So, the present study recommended that the use of PPP and PPS may be useful for patients suffering from liver diseases due to its hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic activities. polyunsaturated fatty acids, and amino acids. The present work aimed to study the possibility of using PPP and PPS on hepatic diseases, cholesterol, and the biological and histopathological effects of experimental rats that have had hepatic injury induced by CCl4. From these results, it was suggested that prickly pear peels and prickly pear seeds could protect the liver cells from CCl4-induced liver damage, perhaps by their antioxidative effect on hepatocytes, hence eliminating the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites from CCl4. As a result of their hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic activities, prickly pear peels and prickly pear seeds were recommended in this study for patients suffering from liver diseases. Further studies are required in this field.