The Effect of Dried Lemon Peel on Chronic Immobilization-Induced Liver Damage in Male Wistar Rats

Previous research has demonstrated that chronic immobilization can induce oxidative stress and result in liver damage. Dried lemons (Citrus aurantifolia) possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, as well as neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects. The objective of the present study is to examine the impact of hydroethanolic extract from dried lemon peel on liver damage caused by chronic immobilization in male Wistar rats.

In this experimental study, 20 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, dried lemon peel, chronic immobilization, and chronic immobilization-dried lemon peel. The chronic immobilization groups were subjected to restraint stress for 6 hours daily, continuously for 21 days. The dried lemon peel groups received a hydroethanolic extract of dried lemon peel (at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight) by gavage. At the end of the study period, the levels of liver enzyme activity and liver malondialdehyde were measured.

The level of malondialdehyde in the liver of rats in the chronic immobilization group (0.532±0.045) was significantly higher compared to the control group (0.349±0.02). Moreover, the serum activity of alanine aminotransferase (51.61±4.58), aspartate aminotransferase (123.07±8.12), and alkaline phosphatase (310.62±13.96) enzymes in immobilized rats showed a significant increase compared to the control group (29.77±2.98, 73.10±7.03, and 209.53±7.00, respectively), indicating infiltration of inflammatory cells into the liver parenchyma. On the other hand, the chronic immobilization-dried lemon peel group exhibited a significant decrease in the level of malondialdehyde (0.407±0.004) and the activity of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase 35.73±2.29, aspartate aminotransferase 82.04±5.76, and alkaline phosphatase 231.0±15.91) compared to the chronic immobilization group.

It is concluded that dried lemon peel probably acts as a hepatoprotective agent by inhibiting oxidative stress and protecting the liver from damage caused by chronic immobilization.