Hepatoprotective Effects of Allium Cepa (Onions) Juice Extract on Adrianmycin - Induced Liver Damage in Rats

Metabolic processes in the liver protect other organs and tissues in the body from harmful chemicals or toxins. Some byproducts of metabolic detoxification, if in excess, can cause damage to the liver and an example of such toxic chemical product is Adriamycin. Adriamycin (Doxorubicin) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents against a variety of cancers, but its usefulness is seriously curtailed by the risk of developing heart failure. Doxorubicin is associated with adverse effects on organ like the liver. Acute liver injury is the loss of liver function that occurs rapidly in days or weeks usually in a person who has no pre-existing liver disease. Acute liver injury is less common than chronic liver injury. Onion is known for many medicinal properties. Onion contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, decrease triglycerides and reduce cholesterol levels. The present study evaluated the protective effects of methanol extract of Allium cepa (MEAC) against Adriamycin-induced liver injury. Twenty-five (25) albino rats were randomly grouped into 5 groups A – E and received the following treatments daily for five days. Rats in group A (negative control) received intraperitoneal injection of Adriamycin (15mg/kg body weight) alone. Group B received Adriamycin (15mg/kg, i.p) and low dose of MEAC (200mg/kg, oral); group C received Adriamycin (15mg/kg, i.p) and high dose of MEAC (400mg/kg, oral); group D received Adriamycin (15mg/kg, i.p) and vitamin C (200mg/kg, oral); Group E (Normal control) no treatment was administered to this group. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by measuring serum bilirubin, ALT, AST and ALP enzyme activities. Administration of the methanol extract of Allium cepa resulted in marked elevation of the biochemical parameters; ALT (29.45 ± 1.72 IU/L), AST (44.73 ± 3.41 IU/L), ALP (301.64 ± 25.37 IU/L), and total bilirubin (1.31 ± 0.25 mmol/L). Oral administration of high dose of MEAC showed significantly attenuated the serum concentration of ALT (22.47 ± 2.71 IU/L), AST (26.42 ± 2.09 IU/L), ALP (249.97 ± 26.01IU/L) and bilirubin (0.99 ± 0.27mmol/L), respectively. The phytochemical constituent in MEAC worked to maintain the structural integrity of the plasma membrane of the liver cells to protect it against breakage by the reactive metabolites formed from exposure to Adriamycin. Histopathological studies also supported the biochemical observations as liver sections of Adriamycin induced in the rats, deleterious alterations in the liver histoarchitecture. However, administration of high dose methanol extract of Allium cepa prevented liver damage induced by the Adriamycin. This study reveals that methanolic extract of Allium cepa (MEAC) at high doses, possesses strong antioxidant and liver protective ability.