Ameliorative Role of Psyllium Husk on Hepatotoxicity Induced by CCL4 in Male Albino Rats: A Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

Abstract

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a strong hepatotoxin that is commonly used to induce experimental liver injury to investigate a substance's potential hepatoprotective effects. Plantago ovata husk (PSH) contains a variety of primary and secondary metabolites, as well as a number of bioactive compounds that have strong antioxidant properties. The goal of this study was to determine whether PSH powder could protect and treat adult male albino rats' livers from CCl4-induced damage. Five groups were created: A: (Control group) received nothing. Oil was administered in B (Oil treated group). C: (CCl4 treated) group. D: (PS+CCl4) treated group, which received daily PSH for six weeks and CCl4 for four weeks. E: (CCl4+PS) treated group, after giving them CCl4, they received daily PSH. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations were carried out. Homogenized liver samples were analyzed for antioxidant enzymes; statistical analysis was performed. The intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 resulted in a significant rise in SOD, GPx, and MDA, as well as various lesions in hepatocytes, including cytoplasmic vacuolations, leukocyte infiltration, necrosis, collagen deposition, and a high level of caspase-3. Treatment by PSH in both groups ameliorated the effect of CCl4 on decreasing antioxidant enzymes. PSH in the PS+CCl4 group showed nearly normal histological structure of the liver, collagen deposition, and Caspase-3 levels. It could be concluded that PSH powder acts as a strong antioxidant that can be used in daily life for protection and curation from liver diseases.