ABSTRACT
The effect of ethanolic extract of Allium Ascallonicum was evaluated in male and female wistar rat during 14 days after the doses of (300, 500, 700)mg/kg body weight orally. Parameter evaluated include serum ASP, AST, ALT, direct bilirubin and Total bilirubin.20 wistar rats were divided into four groups with weight range of (150±20)g the group 1 is the control group ,group(ii,iii,iv) are treated with the extract in varying concentration of (300,500,700)mg/kg body weight respectively. The result showed that the groups treated with A. ascalonicum insignificantly increased in AST, ALT and ALP parameter by (p>0.05) and insignificant decreased in direct and total bilirubin parameter by (p>0.05).
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Medicinal plants constitute an effective source of both traditional and modern medicines and about 80% of rural populations depend on it for their primary health care (Israel et al., 2010). Toxicity from botanical compounds has been underestimated due to the perception that drugs made from plants are absolutely safe. However, severe liver injury has been described after the ingestion of a large variety of different herbal preparations (Stickel et al., 2000). Determination of efficacy and safety of herbal remedies is necessary as many people use them for self-medication and little data is available about the pharmacology and toxicology for most of the common herbal remedies (Fragoso et al., 2008).
Shallot, scientifically called Allium ascalonicum, belongs to Allium genus and liliaceae family. Garlic, onion, shallot and leek are the most important species in this genus and have been long used as spices and also medicine (Fenwick et al., 1985).
Saponins, sapogenins, sulphuric compounds (thiosulfinates) and flavonoids, including quercetin and kaempferol, are found in different species of Allium genus.
Research has shown that both the bulb and the flower of shallot contain a high density of glycosidic flavonols.(Fatturosso et al., 2002, Barile, 2005). Disulphide and trisulphide compounds are amongst the most important compounds existing in Allium genus species.(Rose et al., 2005).
There have been reports about shallot having pharmacological effects, e.g. antioxidant. (Leelarungrayub et al., 2006) immune system regulating,(Jafarian et al., 2003) anticancer(Ghodrati et al., 2008) and anti-trichomonas(Taran et al., 2006) effect;however,little are the record available on toxicological effect of shallot on liver of the serum. functions, which is detected by AST,ALP, ALT and bilirubin level.
Shallot (Allium ascalonicum) which has been used mainly as a spice traditionally from the ancient times. It has many different benefits including antibacterial and anti-fungal properties (Owoyele et al., 2004), beneficial hematological influences (Owoyele et al., 2004), antioxidant properties (Leelarungrayuv et al., 2006), anti-Helicobacter pyloripotential effect (Adeniyi et al ., 2004) and peroxynitrite-scavenging capacity (Ho et al ., 2010) which have been studied until now.
The liver supports almost every organ in the body and is vital for survival. Because of its strategic location and multidimensional functions, the liver is also prone to many diseases. The most common include: Infections such as hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, alcohol damage, fatty liver, cirrhosis, cancer, drug damage (particularly by acetaminophen (paracetamol) cancer drugs and herbal product).
Many diseases of the liver are accompanied by jaundice caused by increased levels of bilirubin in the system. The bilirubin results from the breakup of the hemoglobin of dead red blood cells; normally, the liver removes bilirubin from the blood and excretes it through bile.
There are also many pediatric liver diseases including biliary atresia, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, alagille syndrome, progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis, to name but a few..
Due to the wide spread use of Allium ascalonicum and possible toxicity of various bioactive alkaloids, flavonoids etc, it was considered necessary to study its biochemical and histological toxicity. Liver has a pivotal role in regulation of physiological processes and is also involved in detoxification of a variety of drugs and xenobiotics. (Kumar et al., 2011)
1.1 AIM OF THE STUDY
The aim and objective of this study is to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of allium ascalonicum on liver function parameters; AST, ALT,ALP, DIRECT AND TOTAL BILIRUBIN.