Therapeutic Effects of Viscum album Combined with Zingiber officinale against CCL4 Induced Liver Injury in Albino Rats

This study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of Viscum album (mistletoe) and Zingiber officinale (ginger) in treating Rat liver against CCL4-induced liver injury. Mistletoe and ginger are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various disorders, including hepatic disorders. Biochemical parameters and histological structure were assessed and used as a measure of the therapeutic potential of the herbs against CCL4-induced liver injury. The experimental animals (15 male wistar Albino Rats) weighing between 100-120 g were randomly divided into nine (3) groups. Each group comprised 5 rats and was labelled as group 1, 2 or 3. Group 1 (negative control) animals were administered saline orally daily for 6 weeks (1ml volume per kg body weight) while group 2 (CCL4 group) animals were administered CCL4 mixed with olive oil as the vehicle in 1:1 ratio (3 ml/kg body weight). Group 3 represented the treatment group with extracts of the two herbal plants (250mg/kg daily). The combined herbal extracts administered orally for 6 weeks showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the concentrations or activities of liver function parameters including serum ALT, ALP, AST and GGT activities and serum protein, albumin, and bilirubin concentrations as compared with the marked increases in the parameters in CCL4-only treated rats. Histological examination of the liver of CCL4–treated rats with the combined herbal extracts showed less destruction of liver architecture in comparison to the group treated with CCL4 only. The results indicated that the combined herbal extracts investigated (mistletoe, and ginger) had a therapeutic effect against CCL4-induced liver injury and this effect could be due to the phytochemicals present in the herbs.