Abstract

In rats, the ameliorative effect of aqueous extracts of the mesocarp (flesh) of dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) was studied using ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. The rats were divided into six groups and among them; three groups received the mesocarp extract of Phoenix dactylifera (10mg, 20mg, and 40 mg/kg) and ethanol 20% (3.76 gm/kg/day) orally. Two groups were considered controls and one group received the ethanol intervention while another received distilled water and the last group was treated with the Standard drug Silymarin (100 mg/kg). In both treated and untreated groups, the change in the biochemical markers like SGPT (Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) and SGOT (Serum oxaloacetic transaminase) were determined to assess the hepatic injury. The group which received the ethanol treatment exhibited enhanced levels of SGPT and SGOT. The intervention with the fruit extract in a dose-dependent way has restored the altered levels of the biomarkers to near normal levels which were evident from the marked reduction in serum enzymes, SGOT and, SGPT. Hence, it was concluded that the extract from the mesocarp of Phoenix dactylifera exhibits hepatoprotective activity against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat model. Plasma concentration of the enzyme activities was estimated to assess the liver damage. The treatment with the aqueous extract of date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) reduced the ethanol-induced elevated plasma enzyme concentration and ameliorated morphological and histological liver damage significantly. This study proposes that ethanol-induced liver damage can be ameliorated by administering P. dactylifera flesh extract.

Keywords: Phoenix dactylifera; Silymarin; SGOT; SGPT