Protective Effect Of Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract Against Paracetamol And Thioacetamide Induced Hepatic Damage In Rats

Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of methanolic extract of Zizyphus jujuba fruits (MEZJ), in rat models of paracetamol (PCM) and thioacetamide (TAA) induced hepatic damage.Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawely rats were prophylactically treated with three dose of MEZJ (1000, 500 and 250 mg/kg, p.o) for 10 days and subsequently liver damage was induced. Hepatoprotective potential was evaluated by measuring biomarkers and antioxidants.Results: The low and medium doses of MEZJ significantly inhibited the acute elevation of biomarkers in serum and elevated the fall of biomarkers in liver tissue homogenate (LTH). The activities of antioxidants enzymes were significantly increased in LTH of rats pretreated with low and medium doses of MEZJ. Results of histopathological studies supported the biochemical findings. However, high dose of MEZJ was less effective than low and medium doses.Conclusion: It was concluded that MEZJ possesses hepatoprotective activity probably due to its antioxidant effect.