Investigation of the hepatoprotective effects of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity.

More than 600 chemicals can cause damage in liver, one of which is carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). Hepatoprotective agents could prevent tissue damage and reduce morbidity and mortality rates; such agents may include alternative or folkloric treatments. We investigated sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) for its hepatoprotective effect in CCl₄-induced experimental liver damage. To this end, 0.8 mg/kg of sesame fixed oil was provided intraperitoneally to rats whose livers were damaged by CCl₄. Tissue and blood samples were taken at the end of the experiments and evaluated histologically and biochemically. Ballooning degenerations and an increase in lipid droplets in liver parenchyma and increases in serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and bilirubin were found in the CCl₄ group. Biochemical and histopathological findings in the sesame fixed oil treated group were not significantly different from the CCl₄ group. Sesame did not show a hepatoprotective effect in CCl₄-induced liver toxicity.