Effects of Averrhoa Carambola Hydro-Alcoholic Extract on Liver Histopathological Changes in Rats with a High-Fat Diet

In the present study the effects of Averrhoa carambola fruit hydro-alcoholic extract on hepatic tissue, liver enzymes, and serum lipids were investigated in rats submitted to a high-fat diet.

In this experimental study, 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided to 3 equal groups as follows: (1) control, (2) rats fed a high-fat diet and (3) rats receiving a high fat diet and hydro-alcoholic extract of Averrhoa carambola (A. carambola) at a dose of (200 mg/kg bw). Rats received a high-fat diet for one month. Then, two rats were selected from each diet group and hyperlipidemia was confirmed by measurement of serum triglyceride and serum cholesterol levels. After confirming hyperlipidemia, rats of group 3 were orally treated by Averrhoa carambola (200 mg/kg bw) for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, serum liver enzymes, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were assayed. Afterward, for histopathological investigation, hepatic tissue samples were prepared and routine tissue processing protocol was performed.

The administration of Averrhoa carambola fruit extract significantly reduced serum triglyceride and cholesterol when compared with the hyperlipidemic group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001 respectively). Serum ALT and AST in rats that received Averrhoa carambola fruit extract significantly decreased compared to hyperlipidemic group (P< 0.05). In the histopathological examination, degeneration, vacuolation and intra-cytoplasmic accumulations in the treated group were improved in comparison with the hyperlipidemic group.

These results showed that the Averrhoa carambola fruit extract can protect against hyperlipidemia- induced liver damage in rats.