Hepatoprotective effects of Allium sativum and Withania somnifera on ochratoxin A-induced toxicity in rats

Abstract

Withania somnifera and Allium sativum are the traditional medicinal plants used to improve the liver functions. Since, oxidative stress promotes the ochratoxin A (OTA)-induced hepatotoxicity, we evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of the ethanolic extracts of A. sativum (20 mg/kg, p.o) bulb and W. somnifera (100 mg/kg, p.o) root on OTA (2 mg/kg feed)-induced toxicity in rats. A total of 120 rats were randomly divided into eight groups of 15 animals each and 5 animals each were sacrificed at 3, 6 and 9 weeks intervals. The liver was isolated, blotted free of blood and processed for biochemical analysis. OTA time-dependently increased lipid peroxidation (LPO), serum biomarkers (ALT, AST and LDH) with histopathological alteration in OTA treated rats. Further, OTA depleted thiol pool and decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR). W. somnifera root alone reduced -LPO level, -ALT activity, -histopathological changes and increased antioxidants in liver. A. sativum alone significantly reduced LPO and elevated SOD without any alterations in other biochemical parameters. Combination of extracts more effectively reduced OTA-induced alterations in liver. It is concluded that ethanolic extract of A. sativum and W. somnifera can prevent OTA-induced hepatotoxicity in rats through its antioxidant activities.