Preventive effects of Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindle on liver damage of diabetic rats induced by alloxan

OBJECTIVES Diabetes mellitus is associated with biochemical, physiological and pathological alterations in the liver. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindle (P.f) on changes in rats´ liver structure and serum activities of alanin and aspartate aminotransferases after alloxan injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, forty female Wistar rats with body weight of 200±20 g were randomly divided into 5 groups with 8 rats per group. Diabetes was induced in rats by alloxan monohydrate at dose of 120 mg/kg body weight (BW) injected intraperitoneally. Root and leaves with stems hydroalcoholic extract of P.f at dose of 100 mg/kg BW were given orally in diabetic rats daily for a month. RESULTS In diabetic rats (D) the serum allanin aminotransferases (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferases (AST) were significantly increased (p<0.05) in comparison with the other groups. Moreover, in this group, necrosis of hepatocytes, cytoplasmic vacuolations, and lymphocytic inflammation were observed. Diabetic rats treated by root extract of P.f compared with diabetic group showed a significant decrease in these enzymes. In addition, in this group all of previous signs were improved. CONCLUSION Root hydroalcoholic extract of P.f found to influence changes of aminotransferases and prevent the histopathological changes of liver associated with alloxan diabetes in rats.