Hepatoprotective effect of aqueous extract of cardamom against gentamicin induced hepatic damage in rats

Abstract

The study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of cardamom in acute experimental liver injury induced by gentamicin. Twenty four male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (six rats in each). Animals of the first group served as control and orally (p.o.) received (1 ml/kg saline). The second experimental group was given gentamicin (80 mg/kg i.p.) for 7 days. Third and fourth groups were given aqueous extract of cardamom (100 and 200 mg/kg p.o.) + gentamicin for 7 days, respectively. The degree of hepatoprotection was measured using serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin, albumin, and lipid profile levels. In the acute liver damage induced by gentamicin, cardamom aqueous extracts (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of AST, ALT, bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-chol) in gentamicin induced hepatotoxicity. Also cardamom aqueous extracts (100 & 200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly increased the lowered serum levels of albumin and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-chol) in gentamicin induced hepatotoxicity rats. Histopathological examination of the liver tissues supported the hepatoprotection. Our findings concluded that cardamom aqueous extracts possessed hepatoprotective activity against gentamicin induced hepatotoxicity in rats.