Scientific Study

The present study was carried to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect and antioxidant role of sun; sulphited-dried apricot and its kernel against ethanol-induced oxidative stress. The hepatopreventive and antioxidant potential of the plant's supplementations were evaluated by measuring level of serum liver damage marker enzymes (AST; ALT; GGT and LDH); antioxidant defense systems (GSH; GR; SOD; GST and GPX) and MDA content in various tissues of rats. Eight experimental groups: I (control); II (20% ethanol); III (ethanol+15% sun-dried apricot); IV (ethanol+30% sun dried). V (ethanol+15% sulphited-dried); VI(ethanol+30% sulphited-dried); VII (ethanol+15% kernel) and VIII (ethanol+30% kernel). According to the results; the levels of serum enzymes increased significantly in the II group as compared to those of I group; but they decreased in the III; IV; V and VI groups as compared to those of II group. Also; administration of sun and sulphited-dried apricot supplementation restored the ethanol-induced imbalance between MDA and antioxidant system towards near normal particularly in tissues but not its kernel. It is concluded that apricot has a hepatoprotective effect in rats with ethanol; probably acting by promoting the antioxidative defense systems.