Efficacy Of Bitter Apple Fruit (Citrullus Colocynthis) Consumption In Rats With Induced Steatohepatitis

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of bitter apple fruit (citrullus colocynthis) consumption in rats
with induced steatohepatitis. Forty adult male albino rats, weighing (200 ± 10 g) were divided into 2 main groups,
the first main group (n=8 rats) was fed on basal diet during the experimental period and kept as a negative
control group. The second main group (n=32 rat) was fed on basal diet with methionine- choline deficient diet
(MCDD) to induce steatohepatitis, then were divided into four subgroups as follow: Subgroup (1) positive control
was fed on a MCDD only. Subgroups (2-4) were fed on a MCDD supplemented with dried bitter apple at 5, 7 and
10% respectively for 8 weeks. The results indicated that diet supplemented with bitter apple at different levels
significantly (P< 0.05) increased the final body weight, body weight gain % and FER compared to the positive
control group. Moreover, significant decrease (P< 0.05) in the mean level of MDA, and significant increase (P<
0.05) in the mean level of CAT was observed due to bitter apple supplementation at different levels caused. In
addition to an improvement of serum liver enzymes and serum of lipid profile due to bitter apple
supplementation, while serum HDL-C was significantly increased (P< 0.05) as compared to the control positive
group. So that, it could be concluded that, bitter apple may be given to patients suffer from liver diseases.