The protective and therapeutic effects of Persian Gulf sea cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota) on Carbon tetrachloride -induced hepatotoxicity in Molly Fish (Poecilia sphenops)

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a well-known toxicant in exposed animals. It is assumed sea cucumber has medical properties. So, the protective and therapeutic effects of ethanol extract of the Persian Gulf sea cucumber (EEPGSC) on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in Molly Fish (Poecilia sphenops). A total 90 Molly fish were randomly divided into 9 experimental groups as follows: Group (C0): had no received injections. Group (C1): fish injected with olive oil (1 mL/kg, i.m.). Group (C2): injected with ethanol (100 mg/kg, i.m.) Group (C3): injected with CCl4 (1 mL/kg, i.m.) on day 1st. Group (T1): fish injected with CCl4 (1 mL/kg, i.m.) and then with EEPGSC (100 mg/kg, i.m.). Group (T2): injected with CCl4 (1 mL/kg, i.m.) then with EEPGSC (200 mg/kg, i.m.). Group (C4): had no received injections for 20 days, then injected with CCl4 (1 mL/kg, i.m.) on day 21. Group (T3): injected with EEPGSC (100 mg/kg, i.m.) for 20 days (given on alternate days) then injected with CCl4 (1 mL/kg, i.m.) on day 21. Group (T4): fish injected with EEPGSC (200 mg/kg, i.m.) for 20 days (given on alternate days) then injected with CCl4 (1 mL/kg, i.m.) on day 21. After the last injection, body length (cm), weight (g), GIS index and liver alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined. No significant difference detected in body weight and length compared to the control groups (p>0.05). Injection of the different levels of the EEPGSC (100 and 200 mg/kg, i.m.) decreased CCl4-induced ALP, ALT and AST levels compared to the C4 groups (p<0.05). These results suggested EEPGSC had protective and therapeutic effect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in Molly fish.