Protective Effects of Camel Milk on Carbon Tetrachloride induced Hepatoxicity in Wistar Rats

Camel milk has been deeply studied for its special properties of insulin like, antibacterial and anticancer activities. Twenty adult wistar rats weighing between 150g and 200g were used in the study to determine the protective effective of camel milk on carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) induced hepatoxicity in rats. The rats were divided into 5 groups (A, B, C, D and E) of 4 animals each and were fed with rat feed and water for 30days. Control groups (A and B) were injected intraperitoneally (i/p) with 1ml/kgbw of paraffin oil on the 1st and 2nd days, and in addition group B was fed with camel milk for the remaining days. Groups C and D were injected i/p with CCl4 (1ml/kgbw) for 2 consecutive days and group D fed with camel milk for the remaining period. Group E were fed with camel milk and were injected i/p with CCl 4 on the last two days. Results showed a 5.76% decrease in mean body weight of group C significant at p<0.05% while A and B; D and E showed increase in mean body weight of 7.69%, 12.60%, 4.40% and 9.21% respectively. The weight and relative weight of liver of Group C was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared with group A and other groups. The levels of Aspartate aminotransferase(AST), Alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase( ALP) of 218.75±18.20, 158.00±33.22 and 429.75±73.01 in group C were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared with control group (88.25±3.64, 63.50±9.22 and 253.25±71.97) while that of groups B, D and E were normal. Histologically the liver showed fatty changes and necrosis in group C while groups A, B, D and E appear normal. This showed that camel milk is capable of preventing and restoring the distortion of liver structure caused by CCl 4 and could be used for treatment of hepatic diseases.