The Effect of Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) on Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon) leaves powder (TLP) and its aqueous extract (TLAE) on CCL4- induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Thirty-six rats were separated into two groups. The 1st group, rats (n=6) were fed on basal diet and kept as negative control group, 2st group: hepatotoxic group, rats (n=30), were injected with CCl4 at 1ml/kg b.wt. After 24 h from injection for 3 days, a rat from each group was taken to measure liver function to be sure that all rats had liver injury. After liver injury, rats were divided as follows: subgroup 1 served as the control positive group and 4 treated rat subgroups were fed on a diet supplemented with the Tarragon leaves powder and its aqueous extract concentration (1% or 2% per kg diet, or 1mL, 2mL of TLAE as one injection gavage, respectively). Results revealed that supplementation with different levels of tarragon leaves powder and its aqueous extract had improved body weight and liver weight accompanied by a significant decrease in levels of liver functions (ALT, AST, ALP and total bilirubin), as well as in lipid profile, while a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was recorded. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum cytokines interleukin-1 beta were significantly reduced, while GSH was significantly (P<0.05) increased. In conclusion, tarragon leaves powder and its aqueous extract could introduce a potential natural therapy against hepatotoxicity.