Abstract

Objective: This study was to assess and compare the effect of Zinc Sulphate and Essential Forte® on the biochemistry of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced hepatotoxicity in adult Wistar rats.

Materials and Method: Twenty five adult Wistar rats, weighing between 150 g and 170 g, were used for the study. They were housed in plastic cages fed on standard laboratory rat pellets and given water ad libitum. The animals were divided into five groups A, B, C, D and E (n=5). Group (A) received 0.7ml/kg of olive oil orally. Groups B, C, D and E were administered CCl₄ (0.7ml/kg orally) for 1 week in 1:1 dilution with olive oil. After CCl₄ administration Group C was treated with Essentiale Forte® (4.5mg/kg bw orally) for four weeks. Group D was treated with Zinc Sulphate (7mg/kg bworally) daily for four weeks. Group E received Zinc Sulphate (7mg/kg bw orally) and Essentiale Forte® (4.5mg/kg bw orally) for a period of 4 weeks, while group B was left untreated. Animals were left for another one week and afterwards sacrificed under ether anaesthesia. Blood samples were obtained via cardiac puncture and centrifuged to obtain serum. Markers of liver function such as, Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST), Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) as well as Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) were estimated in the serum using enzyme colorimeter assay kit (Randox). Data obtained were analyzed by one way ANOVA, then Student Newman-Keuls (SNK) test for multiple comparisons.

Result: Treatment with Zn and or Essentiale Forte® restored the hepatic function as the biochemical analysis with Mean±SEM showed significant reduction in the levels of markers of liver function and protected the liver tissue from fatty and degenerative changes.

Conclusion: This study showed that combination of Essential Forte® and Zinc supplement offered better ameliorative effect on the markers of liver function of Wistar rats following CCl₄ induced-hepatotoxicity compared with separate administration of either Essential Forte® or Zinc supplement.