Hepatotoxic agents can react with the basic cellular components and consequently induce almost all types of liver lesions. Objective: The present work aimed to evaluate effectiveness of fenugreek seeds, rosemary and cinnamon against cadmium induced hepatotoxicity in guinea pigs from the histological and biochemical aspects. Materials and methods: 48 guinea pigs were used for this study and divided into 8 groups. The first 4 groups were control groups, the 5 th group was the experimental and administered oral cadmium chloride at a dose of 5 mg/kg. body weight./day for 28 days, the 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th groups co-administered cadmium with aqueous extracts of fenugreek seeds, rosemary and cinnamon at a dose of 150 mg, 220 mg, and 200 mg/ kg body weight /day, respectively. The livers were dissected out, weighted and specimens were taken and processed for light microscopic examinations. Blood samples were obtained for assessment of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltransferase activities, and serum total and direct bilirubin. Results: In cadmium treated animals, there were severe structural damage in the liver. Most of hepatocytes appeared fused together forming eosinophilic syncytial masses. The hepatocytes appeared irregularly arranged with disorganization of hepatic architecture. The hepatocytes appeared large with light and foamy cytoplasm filled with numerous vacuole-like spaces. The nuclei appeared with pyknotic nuclei. The central vein appeared dilated and congested with massive hemorrhage extending to the nearby cells. Mild periductal fibrosis around bile duct in the portal area were observed. Also, there were focal degenerative and necrotic changes along with inflammatory cell infiltration. Decrease in body weight and increase in liver weight were observed. Biochemically, the serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase), and γ-glutamyltransferase activities, serum total and direct bilirubin were elevated. Co-adminstration of fenugreek, rosemary and cinnamon significantly improved the structural changes in the liver and also all the above mentioned biochemical parameters were significantly declined. Conclusion: It can be concluded that, the cadmium had adverse effects on the liver. Aqueous extracts of different natural materials as Fenugreek, rosemary and cinnamon were able to attenuate these effects. So, the populations of high risk to cadmium should be advised to take one of these materials.

Abstract:The liver performs many vital functions to eliminate toxins and harmful substances from the body. Hepatotoxic agents can react with the basic cellular components and consequently induce almost all types of liver lesions. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible hepatoprotective role of sesame oil against lead acetate induced hepatotoxicity in albino mice from the histological and biochemical aspects. In this study, thirty two adult male albino mice were used for this study and divided into four groups. The first group was control group, the 2 nd was the sesame oil group orally received sesame oil (5 ml/kg body wt.), the 3 rd group was the experimental and received lead acetate (500 mg /kg diet), the 4 th one co-administered lead acetate (500 mg/kg diet) with sesame oil (5 ml/kg body wt.) daily for 30 days. The livers were dissected out, weighted and specimens were taken and processed for light microscopic examinations. Blood samples were obtained for assessment of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyltransferase activities, serum total proteins and albumin. Results indicate that, in lead treated animals, there were severe structural damage in the liver. The hepatocytes appeared irregularly arranged with disorganization of hepatic architecture. The hepatocytes appeared large with light and foamy cytoplasm filled with numerous vacuole-like spaces. The nuclei appeared with pyknotic nuclei. The central vein appeared dilated and congested with massive hemorrhage extending to the nearby cells. Also, there were focal degenerative and necrotic changes along with inflammatory cell infiltration. Decrease in body weight and increase in liver weight were observed. Biochemically, the serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and γ-glutamyltransferase activities were increased and serum total proteins and albumin were decreased. Co-administration of sesame oil significantly improved the structural changes in the liver and also the serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyltransferase activities were significantly declined and serum total proteins and albumin were elevated. Conclusion: It can be concluded that, the lead had adverse effects on the liver. Sesame oil showed effective hepatoprotective action against lead acetate induced hepatotoxicity in albino mice. So, the populations of high risk to lead should be advised to take sesame oil.