Effect of chronic administration of aqueous extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves on Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats

Abstract

Hepatoprotective drugs are not available for use in modern medicine and different parts of medicinal plants like Neem (Azadirachta indica) are used as hepatoprotectants in traditional medicine. Although there are scientific reports of its hepatoprotective activity on acute administration, we found only one study which had evaluated its hepatoprotective effect on chronic administration. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of chronic oral administration of Neem on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Methods: We randomly assigned 72 male and female Wistar albino rats to four groups of 18 animals each and orally administered Distilled water 5ml/kg body weight/day to Groups A (Normal control) and B (Experimental control), 500 mg/kg aqueous Neem leaf extract (Test) to Group C and Silymarin suspension (Standard) 100mg/kg/day to Group D for 30 days. On the 8th day, we induced hepatotoxicity with Paracetamol 2g/kg body weight single dose to groups B, C and D. We performed liver function tests, recorded liver weights and examined liver histology of six rats from each group on 10th, 20th and 30th days. Results: We observed significant difference (P