Background: Thioacetamide (TAA) is a potent hepatotoxic agent used to induce liver toxicity in experimental animal models. Protective role of silymarin in liver intoxication was proved. Coffee is the most popular beverage used in the world. Consumption of green coffee bean extract has many benefits on health in general, and liver in particular.
Aim of work: To evaluate the potential role of adding green coffee extract to silymarin in improving thioacetamide induced hepatic injury in rats.
Materials and methods: Thirty six albino rats were divided into 4 groups; group I (control group), group II (thioacetamide group), group III (Silymarin group) and Group IV (Silymarin and green coffee extract group). Biochemical analysis for liver function, antioxidant enzyme assay were performed. Liver sections were stained using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichrome stains and immunohistochemical expression for caspase-3. Morphometric and statistical analysis were done.
Results: Liver functions of group II showed significant deterioration which slightly improved in group III and tend to be normal in group IV. Antioxidant enzyme levels of groupII and group III were significantly lower than that of group I; group III and group IV levels were significantly higher than that of group II. Liver sections of group II showed massive dilated congested portal vein, bile duct proliferation, and mononuclear cellular infiltrates. Group III showed slightly dilated congested portal vein in some areas while appeared normal in other areas. In group IV portal area appeared almostly normal. Marked increased collagen deposition was detected in group II, decreased in group III and markedly decreased in group IV. Immunohistochemical expression of caspase-3 was increased in group II, lower in group III and significantly low in group IV.
In conclusion: Adding green coffee extract to silymarin potentiate the therapeutic effect of silymarin in improving experimentally induced hepatic injury by thioacetamide in rats.