Assessment of the Hepatoprotective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Sesamum Indicum Seeds on Tramadol Induced Liver Toxicity in Wistar Rats

The liver is vulnerable to drug-related toxicity or injury because it is the primary site of drug metabolism. Additionally, a number of potentially dangerous by-products are generated as drug is broken down in the liver. However, dietary supplements may prevent or relieve some of drug deleterious effects. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative effects of aqueous extract of Sesamum indicum (AESI) seeds on tramadol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. 24 Wistar rats were divided into four (4) groups of six (6) rats each, group A (Control), Group B (Tramadol dependent), group C (Tramadol dependent + 500mg/kg of AESI seeds) and group D (Tramadol dependent + 1000mg/kg of AESI seeds). Administrations were via oral gavage for 20 days. Toxicity was induced by administering therapeutic dose (7.2mg/kg) of tramadol hydrochloride and gradual increase in the dose after every day until it reaches a dependent dose of (144mg/kg) by oral gavage. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were monitored and histological examination was carried out. The results revealed that tramadol administration led to significant elevation of ALT, AST and ALP levels. Treatment with two different doses (500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg) of AESI seeds produced significant dose dependent normalization in the hepatic biochemical parameters and reduced histopathological distortion with evidences of liver regeneration. Treatment with two different doses (500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg) of AESI seeds produced significant reduction in histopathological distortions with significant evidence of hepatic tissue regeneration. Hence, the results of this study indicate that the AESI seeds possess significant protection against tramadol induced hepatotoxicity.

Key Words: Tramadol, Sesamum indicum (SI), ameliorative, hepatotoxicity