Abstract
Background and Objective: Cirrhotic liver is one of the major end stages of chronic liver ailments. It is an irreversible process converts into cirrhosis and may ends with hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver injury is associated with production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), leading to an increase in oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis. Thus, in this study the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of Phoenix dactylifera L. extract were tested on CCl4-induced rats. Materials and Methods: Four groups (untreated, treated with plant extract, CCl4-induced and CCl4-induced and treated groups) were enrolled in the current study (10 rats in each). All groups were treated and scarified for blood collection and histopathological investigations after 6 weeks. Circulating liver enzymes (ALT and AST) and apoptotic extrinsic signals (Fas and FasL) were measured in the blood of all groups. Moreover, histopathology and immunohistochemistry of Apoptosis Inducing Factor (AIF) in liver were observed. Results: It was observed that Phoenix dactylifera L. administration in rats significantly decreased the circulating ALT and FasL levels, as well as diminished chronic liver damage and cirrhosis as illustrated by histopathology and confirmed by AIF immunoreactivity decrease. Conclusion: It was concluded that Phoenix dactylifera L. may have protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. This protection effect is mediated by an anti-apoptotic strategy.