Protective Effect of Morus Nigra Leaf Extract on Diazinon-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Background: Diazinon is a globally used pesticide. Morus nigra (Black Mulberry) possesses flavonoids and phenols, which act as antioxidants. The objective of this study was to determine the possible protective effects of Morus nigra leaf extract on Diazinon-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Material and Method: It was an experimental study conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore. A total of 36 healthy male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups with 12 rats in each group. Group I was the control group. Group II was treated with 60 mg/kg body weight (bw) Diazinon daily for 4 weeks through orogastric intubation. Group III was treated with Diazinon 60 mg/kg bw daily along with 350 mg/kg bw of Morus nigra extract daily for 4 weeks through orogastric intubation. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture, for estimation of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels. Liver dissection was done, slides of the hepatic tissue were prepared and studied under light microscope. The histology of hepatocytes, portal lobule, portal vein and sinuosoids was observed. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test was applied to establish difference among groups with P-value ≤0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results: Histology of Liver tissue in group I showed normal morphology while group II revealed hypertrophy and vacuolization of hepatocytes, congested central vein and sinusoids and presence of necrotic foci. These toxic effects were reversed by the co-administration of Diazinon with Morus nigra in group III which showed normal histology of the hepatic tissue. Similarly, Diazinon administration resulted in significant elevation of ALT and AST levels (P-value<0.05), while, Morus nigra resulted in a considerable decline in the levels of these enzymes (P-value <0.05). Conclusion: Morus nigra extract has hepatoprotective effects against liver toxicity induced by Diazinon.