Histological and Biochemical Studies on Liver of Female Rats Treated with Different Concentrations of Ethanolic Extract of Arum palaestinum

In literature, there is few reports available about Arum palaestinum effects on liver integrity. So, this study was aimed to investigate the histopathological and biochemical effects of ethanolic leave extract of Arum palaestinum on the liver of albino rats. Fifteen female adult rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1(control group), group 2 and 3 received daily dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (B W) respectively, for four weeks. Mortality was observed in rats treated with 500 mg/kg BW. Final body weight at both doses and liver weight at the dose of 500 mg/kg BW were significantly higher(P<0.05) than the control. The extract caused a significant increase (P<0.05) of glucose, high density lipoprotein (HDL), albumin, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatise (ALP) values, at the dose of 500 mg/kg BW compared to the control. On the other hand, a significant reduction (P<0.05) of low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides and globulin was observed. More histological changes like aggregation of lymphocytes, steatosis, congestion and necrosis were observed in the livers of rats received the high dose of the extract. For the first time, our findings indicate that Arum palaestinum can have toxic effects on liver cells which may induce hepatocyte necrosis and liver fibrosis.