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Pakistan Journal of Nutrition

Year: 2010 | Volume: 9 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 52-56
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2010.52.56
Hepatoprotective Activity of Desert Truffle (Terfezia claveryi) in Comparison with the Effect of Nigella sativa in the Rat
S. Janakat and M. Nassar

Abstract: Hepatoprotective activity of Terfezia claveryi aqueous, methanolic and petroleum ether extracts was evaluated in the rat using a potent hepatotoxin carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in comparison with the hepatoprotective activity of a reference plant Nigella sativa. The extracts were administrated via gavage three days prior to CCl4 intoxication followed by two additional doses one hour and four hours after CCl4 injection. Twenty four hours after intoxication, blood samples were collected and serum bilirubin concentration, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) activities were measured. Body weight was measured then livers were excises and livers were weighed. The aqueous, methanolic and petroleum ether extracts of T. claveryi and N. sativa lowered all liver function tests significantly. However, the aqueous extract of T. claveryi almost normalized the effect of CCl4 and was as effective as the petroleum ether extract of the reference plant N. sativa. Moreover, the aqueous extract of T. claveryi normalized CCl4 induced hepatomegaly, which was comparable to the effect of petroleum ether extract of N. sativa. These results demonstrate that aqueous extract of T. claveryi possesses a very powerful hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 and it is as effective as petroleum ether extract of the reference plant N. sativa.

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How to cite this article
S. Janakat and M. Nassar, 2010. Hepatoprotective Activity of Desert Truffle (Terfezia claveryi) in Comparison with the Effect of Nigella sativa in the Rat. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 9: 52-56.

Keywords: Truffles, Terfezia claveryi, Nigella sativa, hepatoprotective, bilirubin, ALP, AST and ALT

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