Protective Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Alcea rosea Aerial Parts on Hepatic Enzyme Dysfunction Induced by Cadmium Chloride in Adult Male Rats

Introduction: Cadmium chloride causes hepatic dysfunction. In the present study, the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Alcea rosea aerial parts were investigated on the hepatic enzyme dysfunction induced by cadmium chloride in adult male rats. Method: In this experimental study, 54 adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of 9 as follows; control group, sham group 1 received 0.2 ml/kg distilled water as a solvent, sham group 2 received 2 mg/kg cadmium chloride intraperitoneally for 21 days, and experimental groups 1, 2 and 3 received 2 mg/kg/day cadmium chloride intraperitoneally for 21 days and then respectively 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extracts of aerial parts of Alcea rosea intraperitoneally for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken from all animals to measure the levels of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH). Results: Mean serum concentrations of ALT, AST, LDH, and GGT in all experimental groups showed a significant decrease compared to the sham group 2. The mean serum concentrations of ALP in experimental groups 2 and 3 significantly decreased compared to the sham group 2 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial parts of Alcea rosea probably modifies hepatic enzyme dysfunction induced by cadmium chloride in male rats.