Clinical Study of Preventive Potentials of Consumption of Buah naga [Cactaceae] Against Paracetamol–Induced Hepatotoxicity as well as the Other Associated Biological Effects

Preliminary studies on the effects of dietary supplementation with Buah naga or Red pitaya fruit on some biochemical, and haematological parameters and histological examinations of liver, were investigated in albino rats in which liver damage was induced by paracetamol (PAM).

Thirty six rats were divided into six groups (including hepatotoxic and non – hepatotoxic), and were fed with 5 and 10% Buah naga fruit extract supplemented diet.

Weight changes and parameters including alanine transaminase(ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST), total protein, glucose, total triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol, reduced glutathione(GSH), lipid peroxidation(LPO), packed cell volume(PCV), total and differential leucocyte count were determined using standard methods.

The consumption of Buah naga supplemented diet gain the weight of the animals as well as alteration in the levels of glucose, protein, ALT and AST in the hepatotoxic groups towards normalcy. The GSH level were significantly increased (p<0.05) while TG were reduced in hepatotoxic group fed extract supplemented diet. Glucose was significantly reduced to near normal (p<0.05) in the two treated groups. Similar results observed in cholesterol and LPO status.

WBC, Hb, and PCV were significantly reduced in hepatotoxic groups and refurbished in treated animals. The hepatotoxic control had significant reduction in neutrophils count and recuperated to near normal in treated rats.

The necrotic effects of paracetamol seen in the abnormal histological changes were gradually regenerated to its native architecture in the hepatotoxic treated groups.

Thus the present study conjectured that Buah naga consumption prevent or treat the PAM induced hepatotoxicity and associated other deleterious effects.