The effects of pumpkin seed oil on carbon tetrachloride induced chronic hepatic damage in rats

The present study determined the possible protective effect of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) on histopathological changes in liver tissue and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, glucose, Non-Esterified Fatty Acids (NEFA) and triglyceride (TG) levels on chronic liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. A total of 80 Wistar rats were divided into eight groups of ten rats each: the first group served as the control, group II was given intraperitoneal 0.2 mL/kg CCl4, twice a week for 8 weeks. Groups III-V were treated daily with PSO for 8 weeks (1, 2 and 3 mL/kg respectively). Groups (VI-VIII) were administered with intraperitoneal CCl4 (0.2 mL/kg) twice a week and simultaneously PSO for 8 weeks (1, 2 and 3 mL/kg, respectively). Groups VII and VIII showed a partial decrease of steatosis in the hepatocytes while the findings in the Group VI were similar to Group II. Serum glucose, TG and NEFA levels, which were increased as a result of liver toxicity, decreased significantly with the treatment of 1, 2 and 3 mL/kg PSO. In addition, serum ALT activity also decreased in CCl4 groups given 2 and 3 mL / kg PSO.As a result, using of PSO at a dose of 3 mL/kg is more effective than 1 and 2 mL/kg on the some biochemical and histopathological changes in CCl4 induced liver damage. Further investigations on dosage and duration that produce the best result without side effects, need to be performed.