Effect of Traditional Cannabis Preparation (Tcp) on Paracetamol Induced Hepatic Injury in Rats

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of traditional cannabis preparation (TCP) on paracetamol induced hepatic injury in rats. Methods: Wistar rats weighing between 150-200 gm and each group contains 6 animals.Test group of animals were treated with paracetamol (2gm/kg bw po).Silymarin (100mg/kg bw po) was used as a standard reference. TCP (0.5ml/100gm po) was given alone and to the group intoxicated with paracetamol. Thereafter, the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assayed in the serum. The levels of other biochemical markers of organ damage such as total bilirubin, pentobarbitone induced sleeping time, liver weight and liver volume were also determined. Histological examination of the liver was performed. Result: Group of rats received TCP showed relatively lower increase in liver enzyme parameters as compared with group of rats treated with PCM alone. However, these values were elevated when compared to normal, untreated group of rats. Also, group of rats received TCP followed by PCM showed significant increase in liver ezyme parameters as compared to PCM alone treated group of rats. However, these values were approximately 2 times higher as compared to normal, untreated group of rats. Conclusion: In the present study, toxic nature of TCP was dependent on the pathological state of liver as its consumption in diseased condition were further enhancing the pathologies of liver which was revealed through elevated levels of various biochemical marker, when oral feeding of TCP in paracetamol intoxicated rat.