Hepatoprotective Effect of Opuntia Ficus-Indica Aqueous Extract against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Toxicity in Rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Opuntia ficus-indicaL. aqueous extract. About 24 Wistar male rats were divided randomly to 4 groups of 6 each. The 1st was given distilled water and served as normal control (CRL). The 2nd was intoxicated orally with carbon tetrachloride at a dose of 1.5 mL/kg each 72 h (CCl4 group) for a period of 15 days. 2 other groups were intoxicated as CCl4 group and treated once daily by aqueous extract of Opuntiaficus-indica L. at doses of 2 mL/kg or 5 mL/kg respectively (OFI1 and OFI2 groups). The results showed a significant elevation of Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST) (ANOVA, p<0.001) and Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) (ANOVA, p<0.05) in CCl4 group compared to control. Treatment of rats with cactus aqueous extract at 2 mL/kg has resulted in significant reduction of AST (ANOVA, p<0.001) compared to CCl4 group. In OFI2 group, AST and ALT were increased but non significantly compared to CCl4 group. The other tested parameters (Urea, creatinine and uric acid) have not recordered significant changes between all groups. The study concluded that Opuntiaficus-indica L. aqueous extract may exert hepatoprotective effect at 2 mL/kg against CCl4-induced toxicity at least by decreasing AST enzyme activity.