European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF PUNICA GRANATUM FRUIT EXTRACT AGAINST SODIUM BENZOATE-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN SWISS MICE

Godspower Micheal, Eme Efioanwan Orlu, Adetutu Olubunmi Obulor*

ABSTRACT

Sodium benzoate is a widely used food preservative; however, prolonged exposure has been associated with oxidative stress and liver dysfunction. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of Punica granatum against sodium benzoate-induced liver injury in Swiss mice. Thirty adult Swiss mice were randomly assigned into six groups: Group A (control), Group B (40 mg/kg body weight/day sodium benzoate), Group C (20 mg/kg body weight/day sodium benzoate), Group D (250 mg/kg body weight/day Punica granatum), Group E (40 mg/kg body weight/day sodium benzoate + 250 mg/kg body weight/day Punica granatum), and Group F (20 mg/kg body weight/day sodium benzoate + 250 mg/kg body weight/day Punica granatum). Following a 35-day treatment period, blood samples were collected by ocular puncture for the determination of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Liver tissues were processed for histopathological examination. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results showed significant increase (p < 0.05) in AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, and LDH activities in sodium benzoate-treated groups compared with the control, indicating hepatic injury. However, mice treated with Punica granatum alone exhibited enzyme levels comparable to the control group. Histopathological evaluation revealed normal hepatic architecture in the control and Punica granatum-treated groups, whereas sodium benzoate exposure caused hepatocyte degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolation, apoptosis, and distortion of liver architecture. Co-administration of Punica granatum significantly ameliorated these biochemical and histological alterations. In conclusion, Punica granatum exhibited marked hepatoprotective effects against sodium benzoate-induced liver toxicity and may serve as a promising natural agent for the prevention of preservative-associated hepatic damage.

Keywords: Sodium benzoate, Punica granatum, hepatotoxicity, liver enzymes, histopathology, Swiss mice.