The protective role of ajwa date against the hepatotoxicity induced by ochratoxin A

Abstract EN

Date fruits are widely consumed in the Arab world and considered as strong antioxidants and free radical scavengers.

The present study aimed at testing the therapeutic effect of Ajwa date aqueous extract (ADE) against the hepatotoxicity induced by ochratoxin A (OTA) in rats.

Rats were divided into four groups orally treated as follow: Control group (0.5M NaHCO3); OTA group (289 μg / kg / day) ; ADE group (1mg / kg / day) and ADE plus OTA group.

After 4 weeks of treatment, blood samples were used for estimation of serum levels of the total bilirubin and the activity of alanine transaminase (ALT), while liver samples were used for histological studies.

The results showed that serum levels of bilirubin and ALT enzyme activity were significantly increased due to OTA treatment.

In addition, light microscopy observations showed histological changes in liver tissues of OTA-treated rats, included global congestion and dilatation of the central veins and sinusoidal spaces, enlargement of periportal areas, lymphocytic infiltration, swelling and degeneration of the hepatocytes, focal necrosis.

However, the severity of the histological lesions as well as the serum levels of total bilirubin and ALT enzyme activity were greatly reduced in rats pretreated with ADE before OTA, compared with OTA-treated rats.

In conclusion, the results indicated that pretreatment with ADE considerably decreased the hepatotoxicity induced by OTA.

Thus Ajwa date could be considered as a functional protective food for liver toxicity.