Investigating the effects of equeous fruit extract of <i>Tamarindus indica</i> on mercuric chloride-induced liver toxicity in adult Wistar rats

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Mercury is a highly toxic metal that poses substantial risks to human health due to its widespread environmental presence and industrial use. Exposure to mercury occurs through various routes, leading to tissue damage mostly liver. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aqueous fruit extract of Tamarindus indica on Mercuric chloride-induced liver damage in adult Wistar rats. METHODOLOGY: A total of 42 adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups with seven rats per group and administered 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg doses of Tamarindus indica extracts and 1mg/kg of mercury chloride. Liver tissues were harvested after administration of the extracts for 60 days and mercury chloride administration for 30 days. The harvested liver tissues were fixed with 10% formal saline for about 24hrs and processed into microscopic slides, and subjected to microscopic examination. Biochemical assays were conducted also to investigate the levels of liver enzymes. RESULTS: Rats in group B treated with mercury chloride showed significant decreases in body weight and increases in liver weight, indicative of the inflammation of the hepatocytes. Elevated levels of liver enzymes and histological changes further indicated liver damage induced by mercury chloride. However, rats treated with Tamarindus indica extracts showed increase on body weight change, liver weight, liver enzymes, and histological alterations, suggesting potential hepatoprotective properties. CONCLUSION: Tamarindus indica demonstrates potential therapeutic benefits in attenuating mercury chloride-induced liver damage, highlighting its role as a natural hepatoprotective agent.