Hepatoprotective effect of ethyl acetate extract of Curcuma longa on alcohol-induced liver damage in female Wistar rats

Abstract

Chronic alcohol intake predisposes an individual to liver damage. This study investigated the effect of ethyl acetate extract of Curcuma longa (EEC) against alcohol-induced liver damage in female Wistar rats. Thirty rats (120–220g) were randomly selected into six groups (n=5); Control, 20% ethanol (5g/kg), various dosage of EEC (100, 200 and 350mg/kg) + 20% ethanol and EEC only (350 mg/kg) groups. Animals in the treatment groups were administered EEC 2 hours before intoxicated with ethanol daily for 14 days. At the end of the treatment period, glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were determined. Histopathology of the liver was also performed. Ethanol caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in hepatic GSH level, SOD, GPx and CAT activities while significantly (p<0.05) increasing MDA level, plasma AST, ALT and ALP activities. Pre-treatment with EEC prevented these effects. Histopathology result shows that group that received the highest dose of EEC showed mild necrosis of the hepatocyte. This study shows that Curcuma longa ethyl acetate extract exerts a protective effect against ethanol-induced liver damage in rats via antioxidant activity.