Ameliorative Effects of Mulberry Leaf Extract on Liver Enzymes and Antioxidant Status in Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

Liver is a vital body’s organ which performs various metabolic functions and exposed to multiple harmful conditions that might lead to acute or chronic injuries / disorders. Worldwide, several plants have been utilized in traditional medicine to treatment of different health problems in animals and humans, as they provided several bioactive beneficial compounds. Investigation the effect of acute liver injury in mice on liver enzymes [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and total bilirubin (TB)], serum antioxidants [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], and lipid peroxidation [malondialdehyde (MDA)], with estimation the ameliorative role of mulberry leave extract on these markers. After preparation acetaminophen for induction of acute liver injury and mulberry leaf extract for amelioration; a total of 32 male BALB/C mice were purchased, transported, acclimated for one week, fasted for 12 hours, and divided equally to four study groups including PCG (mice neither injected acetaminophen nor drenched the extract), PCG (mice injected acetaminophen but not drenched the extract), ELE (mice injected acetaminophen and drenched a low dose of extract), EHE (mice were injected acetaminophen and drenched a high dose of the extract). After 48 hours, all study animals were euthanized, blood sampled, and the obtained sera were examined by quantitative ELISA. For liver enzymes, values of ALP, ALT, AST, TB and LDH were reduced significantly in ELE and more obviously in EHE when compared to value of PCG. However, the findings of treated groups remain higher than the values of NCG. Regarding the antioxidants, the findings of CAT, GSH-Px and SOD were elevated significantly in mice of ELE and more obviously in those of EHE when compared to result of PCG. However, values of PCG and both treated groups were significantly lower than identified in NCG. Concerning the lipid peroxidation, the findings of MDA were reduced in mice of both treated groups; ELE and EHE when compared to values of PCG; however, values of both treated groups remain significantly higher than those of NCG. Since our study might represent the first Iraqi one insight hepatoprotective role of mulberry leaf extract in experimentally induced acute liver injury, suggesting the importance of furthermore studies for other parts of mulberry or extracts of other plants.