Protective effects of fennel oil extract against sodium valproate-induced hepatorenal damage in albino rats

Abstract

Foeniculum vulgare (Apiaceae) is commonly known as fennel. This herb is well-known worldwide and traditionally used as curative herbal therapy for the treatment of epileptic disease, seizurescarminative, digestive, lactogogue, diuretic, treating respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of present study is to investigate the possible effect of fennel oil against the toxicity of Sodium-Valproic (SVP) in albino rats. In order to assess the protection of fennel oil on SVP induced hepato- and nephro-toxicity, male albino rats were treated with 1 ml/kg b.w fennel oil 3 days/week for 6 weeks. The biochemical analyses of hepatic enzymes were evaluated by estimating blood biomarkers of liver and renal damage along with histological examination. The results obtained from this work showed that treating animals with SVP lead to many histopathological alterations in the liver and kidney tissues. The effect appeared in the liver tissue include leukocyte infiltrations, cytoplasmic vacuolization of the hepatocytes, fatty degeneration and congestion of blood vessels. This commonly used chemical (SVP) caused some unwanted effects on the kidney cortex which histologically observed as degeneration in renal tubules, atrophy of the glomeruli and edema. Biochemical results also revealed an abnormal increase in the enzyme level of AST, SAT, ALP, bilirubin, creatinine and urea-nitrogen, with a noticed decrease in total protein content. However, the results of treated rats with SVP plus fennel oil showed some positive histopathological changes in both the liver and kidney tissues. These results have confirmed that fennel oil has positive effects on the histological structure of the liver and kidney and the biochemical levels of AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, total proteins, creatinine and urea. It is concluded that fennel oil has various pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-cancer activity, anti-inflammatory. These valuable effects might be due to the presence of aromatic compounds trans-anethole. This useful properties of fennel plant could be due to its antioxidant activity that prevents the toxicity of SVP.

Keywords: Antehole; Biochemistry; Fennel oil; Histology; Kidney; Liver; Sodium valproate.

Figure 1

(A) Photomicrograph of liver section of a control rats showing the normal branching cords of hepatocytes (H) around the portal tract and central vein (V) separated by blood sinusoids (S), (HE, ×200); (B) liver section of fennel oil treated rats showing normal architecture hepatocytes (H), kupffer cell (K) and blood sinusoid (S) (×250). (C) liver section of SVP treated rat showing congestion (Cg), hepatocytes disorganization. The hepatocytes nuclei are shrinked and pyknotic or apoptotic. Areas of hemorrhages in blood vessels and in between hepatocytes (×200); (D) liver section of SPV plus fennel oil showing some leucocyte infiltrations (*); (×200).

Figure 2

Photomicrographs of liver sections showing (A) congestion, fibrosis and bile duct necrosis around the portal tract, the hepatocytes are disorganized with pyknotic nuclei, cytoplasmic vacuolation of hepatocytes in the SVP treated rat, (arrows), (HE, ×200). (B) Liver with fatty infiltrations (arrow head), (HE, ×200). (C) Liver section of a rat treated with SVP and fennel oil showing normal hepatocytes architecture areas and few leucocyte infiltrations, (HE, ×200).

Figure 3

Photomicrograph of kidney section showing (A) Kidney cortex of a control rat showing glomerulus (G) and renal tubules (RT), (HE, ×200). (B) Kidney cortex of fennel oil treated rat showing normal tubules and glomerulus (G), (×200). (C) Kidney section of SVP treated rat showing enlarged and congested renal vein (HE, ×200). (D) Kidney section of a rat treated SVP showing degeneration of renal tubules with lumen filled with proteinous casts (arrow heads) and edema (ed), (HE, ×200).

Figure 4

Photomicrographs of kidney sections showing (A) Kidney section of 6 weeks treated rat with SVP showing cortex and tubules degeneration with fragmented glomerulus (F), (×200). (B) Kidney section of a rat treated with SVP and fennel oil showing marked improvement in the cortex and regeneration of tubules with healthy glomeruli, (×200).

Figure 5(A)

(A) Showing changes in AST enzyme catalytic activity are presented as relative activities in comparison to control group values. The control and fennel oil treated groups show normal AST activity level. However, the animal group treated with SVP shows a significant increase in AST enzyme activity. The group treated with SVP plus fennel oil shows a marked decline in the AST level in comparison to the group treated with SVP.

Figure 5(B)

Showing changes in ALT enzyme catalytic activity are presented as relative activities in comparison to control group values. The control and fennel oil treated groups show normal ALT activity level with a slight increase in the fennel group over the control group. However, the animal group treated with SVP show significant increase in ALT enzyme activity. The group treated with SVP plus fennel oil shows a significant decline in the ALT level in comparison to the group treated with SVP.

Figure 5(C)

Showing changes in ALP enzyme catalytic activity are presented as relative activities in comparison to control group values. The control and fennel oil groups show normal ALP activity level. However, the animal group treated with SVP shows a significant increase in ALP enzyme activity. The group treated with SVP plus fennel oil shows a significant decline in the ALP level, similar to the control group in comparison to the group treated with SVP.

Figure 6(A)

Showing changes in total-bilirubin presented as relative activities in comparison to control group values. The control and fennel oil groups show normal bilirubin activity level. However, the animal group treated with SVP shows a significant increase in bilirubin activity. The group treated with SVP plus fennel oil shows a marked decline in the bilirubin level in comparison to the group treated with SVP.

Figure 6(B)

Showing changes in total proteins presented as relative activities in comparison to control group values. The control and fennel oil groups show normal total proteins content activity level. However, the animal group treated with SVP shows a significant reduction in total proteins content. The group treated with SVP plus fennel oil shows a marked increase in the total proteins level in comparison to the group treated with SVP.

Figure 7(A)

Showing changes in Creatinine level presented as relative activities in comparison to control group values. The control and fennel oil groups show normal total Creatinine level activity level. However, the animal group treated with SVP show significant increase in Creatinine level. The group treated with SVP plus fennel oil shows a significant decline in the Creatinine level in comparison to the group treated with SVP.

Figure 7(B)

Showing changes in Urea nitrogen level presented as relative activities in comparison to control group values. The control and fennel oil groups show normal total urea nitrogen level activity level. However, the animal group treated with SVP show significant increase in urea nitrogen level. The group treated with SVP plus fennel oil shows a significant decrease in the urea nitrogen level in comparison to the group treated with SVP.