Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of the Berberis
vulgaris fruit extract (BVFE) on the hepatic cells
against cytotoxicity induced by gentamicin.
Methodology: This experimental study was
conducted at department of Anatomy, Liaquat
National Hospital &Medical College, Karachi,
Pakistan for a period of four weeks in March 2020.
The severity of liver damage was observed in
randomly selected four different visual fields of each
slide under light microscopy, using the following
parameters: hepatolobular architecture, arrangement of
hepatocytes within lobules, presence of congestion,
hydropic degeneration & vacuolization, inflammatory
infiltrate, mean hepatocyte count and mean nuclear
diameter.
Results: There was statistically significant difference
in mean hepatocyte count (p = 0.00) while no
significant difference in the mean nuclear diameter
among various groups.
Conclusion: Berberis vulgaris fruit extract is
hepatoprotective against the damaging effects of drugs
like gentamicin in albino rats and the protective effects
are better at higher doses.
Keywords: Berberis vulgaris fruit extract,
gentamicin, albino rats, hepatoxicity.
