Hepatoprotective effect of polyphenol extract from fresh cocoa seeds against ethanol induced hepatic damage in rats

2006

Rosmawati M.S., Malaysia Cocoa Board, Lot 3 Jln P/9B Seksyen 13, Bandar Baru Bangi; Sharida F.; Amin I., Putra Malaysia Univ.

The objective of the study is to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of cocoa polyphenol extract from unfermented cocoa beans against ethanol hepatic damage in rats. Cocoa extract (contained 91.71mg total polyphenol per gram extract) was prepared from unfermented and dried (60°C) beans by extracting using 80% etahnol. Twenthy eight male Sprague-dawley rats (weighing 150-300g) were divided into four groups (n=7): normal control (C), ethanol group (Et), cocoa polyphenol + ethanol group (CE) and silymarin + ethanol group (SE). Hepatoprotective activity of the cocoa polyphenol extract was measured in rats by inducing hepatotoxicity with 50% (v/v) ethanol in water for two weeks. The extract of 3% cocoa polyphenol showed significant (p less than 0.05) hepatoprotective activity which was comparable to that of a standard hepatoprotactive drug. The polyphenol extract has been shown to possess significant (p less than 0.05) protective effect by lower ing the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartase aminotransferace (AST) after the rats were ahallenged with 50% (v/v) ethanol for three days. Histopathological change were assessed by HandE staining and viewed under light microscope. From the results, group treated with 50% (v/v) ethanol induced significant (p less than 0.05) changes in liver morphology and an elevation of serum ALT activity. A slight balloning of hepatocytes, mild inflammation with accumulation of neutrophils and a slight hyperemia was seen in liver from rats treated with 50% (v/v) of ethanol given orally. Cocoa polyphenol extract treatment significantly (p less than 0.05) attenuated the liver injury. These finding showed, cocoa polyphenol extract had the potential to potential to protect the liver.

2012/MY/MY2012_0.rdf