Effect of ash tree leaf extract on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ash tree leaf extract (ALE) on acetaminophen (APAP)induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Hepatoprotective effects were detected by biochemical analysis of hepatic enzymes and histopathological examination of the liver. BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: 'normal' control mice, APAP-treated control mice, and mice pretreated with ALE and treated with APAP. A single dose of APAP markedly increased levels of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Light micrographs of liver cells stained with hematoxylin and eosin showed that APAP induced severe centrilobular necrosis, degeneration, and infiltration by inflammatory cells. Moreover, APAP caused the numbers of TUNEL-positive hepatocytes to increase and caused glycogen content to decrease as observed by Periodic acid-Schiff stain. However, pretreatment with ALE for 7 days prior to the administration of APAP significantly decreased plasma levels of AST and ALT. Histological findings demonstrated that ALE pretreatment alleviated APAP-induced liver damage, and induced the regeneration of liver tissue and restoration of glycogen. These results indicate that ash tree leaf extract exerts a protective effect against APAP-hepatotoxicity induced injury.