Abstract:
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the protective effect of star anise oil against carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-induced hepatic injury and oxidative stress in rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four equal groups. Group I (control): rats administered corn oil1 ml/kg orally every day for 5 weeks. Group II (star anise oil exposed group): rats received (1 ml/kg orally) every day via gastric tube over a period of 5 weeks. Group III (carbon tetrachloride): rats were injected IP with CCl4 (1:3 in corn oil, 2.5 ml/Kg, 3 doses at 72 hr interval) for 5 weeks. Group IV (CCl4 injected rats plus star anise oil) rats daily received star anise oil (1 ml/kg orally)plus CCl4 (as in group III).Obtained results showed significant increase in serum ALT, AST and ALP activities, decrease in total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations and significant increase liver tissue MDA level in CCL4 exposed rats. In addition , a significant decrease in GSH and CAT concentrations were recorded when compared with control group. Administration of star anise oil with CCL4 induced significant improvement of all previous parameters towards their normal ranges. Various histopathological alterations were detected in the liver treated with CCL4. Interestingly, rats treated with star anise oil plus CCL4 showed marked reduction in these pathological alterations in comparison to CCL4 intoxicated rats. These results suggested that star anise oil has the potential to ameliorate CCL4 induced hepatic damage.