Abstract
The current investigation was carried out to inspect the effects of oral intake of Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa extract
against liver fibrosis and cirrhosis induced by Paracetamol in male wistar rats. Aegle marmelos is a medicinal plant
with anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-allergic, cardioprotective and anti-carcinogenic activities. The
healthy age-matched inbred strain of male wistar rats were recruited for the experiment. Three categories were
formulated for the healthy, age-matched inbred strain of male wistar rats (n = 6) with first group (I) designated as
control, (II) received Paracetamol 500 mg/kg body wt. daily in distilled water for 15 days, group III received
Paracetamol 500 mg/kg body wt. daily in distilled water together with Aegle marmelos (AM) 440 mg/kg b.w. daily for
15 days. Plasma total bilirubin, ALP, AST and ALT levels were estimated and correlated with histological findings.
Parcetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats as shown by enhanced liver enzymes levels in Paracetamol group as
compared with control group. Aegle marmelos treatment decreased hepatotoxic effects of Paracetamol by significantly
reducing the elevated liver enzymes. The body weights of animal of all groups were reduced in this study. Histologic
investigations revealed enlargement, paleness, portal and periportal inflammation in paracetamol treated rats whereas
only enlargement and paleness were present in paracetamol + AM treated. The biochemical assays and histological
results showed the moderate hepatoprotective activity of the AM and that its intervention may be beneficial in the
treatment of liver pathologies.
