Ameliorative Efficacy of Brassica oleraceae (Cabbage) Juice Pre-treatment and Co-treatment against Liver Injury Induced by Bisphenol a (BPA) Exposure in a Rat Model
David Chinagorom *
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Ekwe Linus Nnanna
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Okorie Bartholomew Onyekachi
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
John Victor Chimaobi
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Ezeali Onyekachi Modestus
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Chukwu Chibuike Victor
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study evaluated whether cabbage (Brassica oleracea) juice could attenuate bisphenol A (BPA)-associated liver injury in female Wistar rats.
Study Design: A controlled animal experiment was conducted over 28 days.
Methodology: Thirty female Wistar rats were randomly distributed among six groups of five animals each. These comprised an untreated control group, a BPA-only group, a cabbage-only group, and three groups receiving BPA alongside cabbage juice at 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, changes in body weight, and liver histology were evaluated.
Results: Compared with the untreated control group, the BPA-only group showed increased AST, ALT, and ALP activities, a reduction in body weight, and histological evidence of portal inflammation and congestion. Compared with the BPA-only group, the groups receiving cabbage juice alongside BPA showed lower AST and ALP activities. Significant reductions in ALT were observed in the cabbage-only and low-dose groups, whereas those in the moderate- and high-dose treatment groups were not statistically significant. Histological descriptions indicated varying degrees of tissue improvement, with residual inflammation or congestion in the treatment groups. Changes in body weight were not consistent across the BPA-exposed treatment groups.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that cabbage juice administration was associated with some attenuation of BPA-related hepatic changes in rats. Further investigation is required to clarify the treatment schedule, possible mechanisms, and dose-related effects.
Keywords: Bisphenol A, Brassica oleracea, hepatotoxicity, liver function tests, histology