Abstract
Chamomile is a member of the Asteraceae family and has been well established as a medicinal plant. There are many different species of chamomile, the two most common being German chamomile (Marticaria chamomilla) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). The use of chamomile has been associated with calming and anti-inflammatory properties. The plant's healing properties come from its flowers, which contain volatile oils including bisabolol, bisabolol oxides A and B, and matricin as well as flavonoids. This study aims to elucidate the possible therapeutic applications of different levels of M. chamomilla on the functional status of liver, in rats injected with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a known hepatotoxin. Thirty-six male albino rats were treated with subcutaneous injection of CCl4 in paraffin oil 50% V/V (2ml/kg b. wt.) twice a week for 2 weeks to induce chronic liver damage. After injection of CCl4, blood samples were obtained using the retro-orbital method to confirm liver damage and estimate liver function. Rats given CCl4 prior to feeding M. chamomilla demonstrated decrease in serum lipoprotein HDL, LDL, VLDL fraction levels, indicating liver damage. Rats given CCl4 and fed on 5% M. chamomilla showed the most significant increase in organ weight as compared to all levels of treatment suggesting that M. chamomilla can reduce liver damage. Rats given CCl4 then fed on a combination of all levels of M. chamomilla showed a decrease of AST, ALT and ALP enzyme levels in the serum, suggesting a reduction in liver damage. This study showed that proceeding liver damage using CCl4 and administering 5% M. chamomilla, liver function improved significantly as shown with a reduction in serum AST, ALT and ALP, and use of M. chamomilla should be considered in combination therapy for treating liver disease or damage.