Protective effects of Pleurotus ostreatus in ameliorating carbon tetrachloride (ccl4) induced liver injury in Wistar rats

Since oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of liver diseases, this study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective, hematoprotective and hypolipidemic effects of Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom) in Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver injury in wistar rats. Thirty rats were used for this study. The rats were divided into five groups of six rats per cage. Group I that served as the normal control received distilled water only. Groups II to V served as test groups. Group II received CCl4 at a dose of 1 ml/kg body weight on the 14th day and 28th day only. Groups III, IV and V received CCl4 at a dose of 1 ml /kg body weight on the 14th day and 28th day, then, silymarin (100 mg/kg), 25% w/w and 50% w/w of powdered Oyster mushroom respectively. The results revealed that CCl4 caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in lipid peroxidation judging from the significant (p<0.05) elevated level of malondialdehyde MDA in the hepatic tissues whereas the level or activities of reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), suproxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the liver tissues were significantly (p<0.05) reduced. Liver peroxidation was followed by disruption of proper functioning of the hepatocytes as indicated by the significant increase of liver biomarker enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP) and decreased serum levels of albumin and total protein. Dyslipidemia and hematotoxicity were also manifested via a significant (p<0.05) increase in the serum levels of triglyceride TG, total cholesterol TC, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol VLDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol LDL-C and white blood cells count. These were accompanied by significant (p<0.05) reduction in the serum level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol HDL-C and RBC count and its differentials. Supplementation of powdered Oyster mushroom daily for a period of 28 days to rats led to reversal of these signs of toxicities. The ability of the powdered Oyster mushroom to mitigate against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity is probably due to its antioxidant and enzyme modulatory effects. Key words: Hepatoprotective, hematoprotective, hypolipidemic, Pleurotus ostreatus, carbon tetrachloride, peroxidation.