Dietary Gum Arabic Alleviates Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Fibrosis in Wistar Rats

Aims: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Gum Arabic (GA) on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in Wistar rats.

Methods: Rats were randomly divided into three groups (each group: n=8). Group 1 served as untreated control with just 2 ml/kg of olive oil. Group 2 administered only by intraperitoneal (I.P) injection of CCl4 dissolved in olive oil at a dose of 2 ml/kg body weight twice a week for 7 week. Group 3 administered in additional to CCl4 a basal diets containing GA (5%).

Results: The outcomes of the current study exhibited that, CCl4 elevated the serum levels of liver enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline. In addition, CCl4 increase the expression of inflammatory cytokines TLR-4, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-β1and MCP-1or fibrotic markers cytokines; TGFβ1and α-SMA while decreasing the activity of T-AOC, SOD and GSH-Px . Administration of GA effectively attenuated these changes, in additional to promotion of antioxidants enzymes and reducing the collagen deposition and hepatocytes necrosis.

Conclusion: These results suggested that GA has antifibrotic properties and could be used as potential dietary agent against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats.