Protective Effects of Curcumin and Ginger on Liver Cirrhosis Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Rats
The aim of the present study is to investigate the protective effects of curcumin and/or ginger against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity. Therefore, 45 rats were divided into 5 groups each of 9 rats. Control group, CCl4 group: Injected i/p with CCl4 (0.5 mL kgG1 b.wt.) mixed (v/v) in olive oil, curcumin group: Injected i/p with CCl4 and treated with curcumin (200 mg kgG1 b.wt.), ginger group: Injected i/p with CCl4 and treated with ginger (100 mg kgG1 b.wt.) and ginger and curcumin group: Injected i/p with CCl4 and treated with a mixture of curcumin and ginger (100 and 50 mg kg G1 , respectively). After 8 weeks from the start of the experiment, blood samples and liver tissues were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis, respectively. The present study revealed that, CCl4 elevated liver enzymes activities (ALT and AST) and increase malondialdehyde (MDA) level. On the other hand, CCl4 decreases some biochemical parameters, such as albumin concentration, total protein concentration and decrease activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as glutathione (GSH). After treatment with curcumin and ginger both of the activity of liver enzymes and level of MDA decreased significantly, but the activity of antioxidant enzymes increased. In conclusion, treatment with curcumin and/or ginger improve the antioxidant status of rats injected with CCl4, but the combined treatment is less benefit for treatment of liver injury induced by CCl4.