Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Department of Clinical Pathology

Hepatoprotective efficacy of Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom) seeds crude essential oil was evaluated in experimentally induced paracetamol (PCM) Hepato-renal toxicity in rats. Sixty-five male Sprague Dawley rats divided into six groups were used. First group was kept as control negative, while the 2nd group was given PCM (500 mg/kg bw). The 3rd and 4th groups were orally administered silymarin + PCM (500 mg/kg bw + 500 mg/kg bw), and cardamom oil + PCM (100 mg/kg bw + 500 mg/kg bw), respectively. The 5th and 6th groups were treated with silymarin (500 mg/kg bw) and cardamom oil (100 mg/kg bw), respectively. All the previous dosages lasted for two weeks. Blood samples collected weekly from all tested groups. Assessment of hemogram, leukogram, some serum biochemical parameters and histopathology of liver and kidney were carried out. Chemical compositions of cardamom oil was established by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), revealed that the oil was rich in monoterpenoids. Results of PCM-intoxicated rats revealed significant decrease in total protein and albumin, hyperglycemia and elevation of serum transaminases, urea and creatinine. Administration of cardamom essential oil significantly ameliorates the hepato-renal profiles and elevates total antioxidant capacity. Moreover, the oil protects the liver and kidneys from histopathological alterations in PCMintoxicated rats. Neither cardamom oil nor silymarin induce any alterations in serum biochemistry and hemogram in normal rats. The present results proved the ameliorative effect of cardamom essential oil against hepato-renal changes in PCM-intoxicated rats reasonably due to its potent antioxidant effect

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