الفهرس 
الغلافOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 224 |  |  |
| | | from | 224 | | |
Abstract
Neem has complex of various constituents play role in diseases management through modulation of various genetic pathways and other activities. Investigators have confirmed its role as anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, antipyretic, hypoglycemic, antigastric ulcer, antifungal, antibacterial, and antitumour activities. This study was carried out to study the effect of Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaves on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
Thirty adult male albino rats (Sprague-Dawley strain), weighing about (150±10g) were divided randomly into two main groups as follow: The first group (-ve control= 5 rats) was fed on basal diet. The second group (25 rats) were fed on basal diet and injected with CCl4 1 ml/kg, (1:1) mixture with paraffin oil for 3 days to induce acute liver damage.
After injection with CCl4 days, rats were divided into 5 subgroups as follow:-
Subgroup (1): Positive control group, animals were fed on basal diet only.
Subgroup (2): Rats were fed on basal diet supplemented with the leaves powder of Neem 5% per kg basal diet.
Subgroup (3): Rats were fed on basal diet supplemented with the leaves powder of Neem 10% per kg basal diet.
Subgroup (4): Rats were fed on basal diet supplemented with the Neem leaves water extract concentration 5% per kg basal diet.
Subgroup (5): Rats were fed on basal diet supplemented with the Neem leaves water extract concentration 10% per kg basal diet.
Feed intake (FI) was recorded three times a week, and animals were weighed at the beginning and once a week. Body weight gain (BWG), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and organs relative weight (liver, kidney, heart and spleen) were calculated. At the end of the experiment period, liver enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanin aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin ; antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and malondialdehyde (MDA); lipid profile such as total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined, concerning to low density lcholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) were calculated. As well as histopathological examination of liver.
Chemicals of Neem Leaves:
Results indicated that Neem leaves had more powerful in phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The major polyphenolic components of Neem leaves powder were ellagic acid and salicylic acid (1513.65 and 1489.69 mg, respectively), while Neem leaves water extract were 699.60 and 630.13 mg, respectively. These results were reflected to the antioxidant activity (DPPH) of Neem leaves powder and its water extract were recorded 72.76% and 93.36%, respectively at the high tested level 2.5% of sample.
Effect of Dried Neem Leaves and its Water Extract on Feed Intake (FI), Body Weight Gain (BWG) and Feed Efficiency Ratio (FER) of Hepatotoxic Rats:
Results indicated that feed intake was improved in groups that fed on 5% and 10% Neem leaves water extract. Body weight gain insignificant decreased in groups that fed on 5% and 10% Neem leaves water extract compared to negative control group. Feed efficiency ratio for all treated group with Neem showed no significant differences compared to negative control group.
Effect of Dried Neem Leaves and its Water Extract on Serum Liver Functions of Hepatotoxic Rats:
Data showed that serum liver functions ALT, AST, ALP in addition total bilirubin for all treated groups with Neem were decreased significantly (P< 0.05) compared to the positive control group.
Effect of Dried Neem Leaves and its Water Extract on Serum Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) and Malondialdehyide (MDA) of Hepatotoxic Rats:
Data revealed that serum GPx level was significant (P< 0.05) increased in all treated groups with Neem compared with the positive control group. Moreover, all treated groups with Neem were decreased significantly (P< 0.05) in serum MDA level compared with the positive control group.
Effect of Dried Neem Leaves and its Water Extract on Serum Lipid Profile of Hepatotoxic Rats:
Results showed that serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) were significantly decreased (P< 0.05) in all treated groups with Neem compared with the positive control group while showed decreased significantly (P< 0.05) only in treated groups with Neem extract. Regarding high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), there was significantly increased in all treated groups with Neem compared to positive control group
Histopathological Examination:
Carbon tetrachloride caused dilatation of hepatic sinusoids and proliferation of oval cells are considered indication of hepatic carcinoma. Treatment with Neem leaves attenuated these adverse effects and markedly ameliorated histopathological that caused by CCl4 administration.
Based on results of the present study, it can be concluded that Neem is a promising hepatoprotective agent and this protective activity of Neem leaves extract may be due to its antioxidant.