Abstract
Background and Objective: Camel urine contains many active components and essential inorganic elements which plays a protective role as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anticancer agents. Thus, this study aimed to assess the protective role of camel urine (CU) against CCl4-induced liver damage in rats. In addition, in vitro antioxidant activities of the camel urine components that contribute to the hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-toxicity were identified. Materials and Methods: Thirty Sprague Dawley rats divided into 3 groups, 10 rats each. The first group served as controls, the second group received CCl4 and the third group received CCl4 plus CU. Histopathological and biochemical measurements evaluated in bold and liver tissues samples following 2 months of treatment. In addition, active components and essential inorganic elements present in CU as well as its antioxidant activity estimated via in vitro assessments analyses using GC and ICP-MS analysis and scavenging assays, respectively. Results: Significant improvement in a histopathological pattern of liver cells and liver enzymes were reported in the CCl4/CU treated group compared to CCl4 treated rats. In the CCl4/CU treated rats, a significant decrease (p<0.05) in SGPT, SGOT and increased (p<0.05) in serum albumin concentrations was reported in comparison with CCl4 treated rats. In addition, 20 active metabolites and 28 inorganic essential elements such as; K, Mg and Mn were significantly identified in CU using GC-MS analysis. Antioxidant activity of these active metabolites and inorganic essential elements were shown to be higher against in vitro free radicals (H2O2, FRAP and SOR) suggesting the potential antioxidant property of CU against CCl4 toxicity. Conclusion: Camel urine showed to play a promising anti-oxidative and anti-free radical scavenging mechanism against hepatic dysfunction.