Hepatoprotective Activity of Ethanolic Fruit Extract of Ananus comosus in Paracetamol Induced Liver Toxicity in Rats

The present study was undertaken for investigating the hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic fruit extract of Ananas comosus in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity model in albino wistar rats. Silymarin was used as a standard hepatoprotective drug (100 mg/kg p.o). Ethanolic fruit extract of Ananus comosus (200 mg/kg p.o. & 400 mg/kg p.o) was administered one hour before the administration of paracetamol, once daily for 21 days. Liver biomarkers such as SGPT, SGOT, ALP, serum total bilirubin & total protein were elevated in the paracetamol group. Treatments with ethanolic fruit extract of Ananus comosus at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced liver biomarker enzymes. Histopathological reports revealed that administration of paracetamol caused degeneration of fatty cysts, infiltration of lymphocytes, proliferation of kupffer cells and congestion of liver sinusoids. Upon treatment with ethanolic fruit extract of Ananus comosus, normal hepatic globular architecture, less lymphatic infiltration and normal kupffer cells proliferation were observed, suggesting that ethanolic fruit extract of Ananus comosus protects the liver from adverse conditions. Hence, the ethanolic fruit extract of Ananus comosus possesses hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg.