Investigation of the level of hepatic enzymes and liver tissue mature female Trichogaster trichopterus in extract of Vitex agnus castus and Fluoxetine

Today, traditional medicine and the use of herbal extracts have found a special place among the patients. Studies show that herbs have a significant role in protecting the liver against toxins.This study was performed to investigate the protective effects of Iranian medicinal plants on fish liver. The Vitex agnus castus is a plant from the family of (Verbenaceae) that has long been used in traditional medicine. This herb is used to regulate the female hormones and to eliminate menstrual disorders. Fluoxetine is an antidepressant drug from the family of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The aim of this study was comparison of the effect of alcoholic extract of Vitex agnus castus plant and fluoxetine on liver tissue and liver enzymes in mature female three spot Gourami.This study was carried out in the Faculty of Pharmacy, Islamic Azad University of Tehran. For this purpose, ۱۲۰ mature female fish speciments of Trichogaster trichopterus with average weight of (۳±۱)grams in ۱۰ treatments were divided into control groups, each groups consisted of ۱۲ pieces of fish, control ۱ (intact) and control ۲ (ethanol injection)and treatment groups receiving ۱۰, ۲۰, ۳۰, ۵۰ mg/kg alcoholic extract of the fruit of Vitex agnus castus and ۱, ۳, ۵, ۷.۵ mg/kg of fluoxetine. All the experiments were administered ۱۰ times one day in between in the form of an intramuscular (IM) injection within ۲۰ days and were repeated ۳ times. At the end, after anesthetizing the fishes, liver and liver enzymes were studied in treatment groups and compared with control groups. The statistical results of the level of liver enzymes between the control groups and the treatments showed a significant differences (P <۰.۰۵). The findings of this research showed an increase in the hepatic enzymes of fluoxetine and Vitex agnus castus extracts. The results of this study showed that the extract of Vitex agnus castus and fluoxetine increase in dosage affected liver tissue and liver enzymes. Also, the effects of Vitex agnus on liver tissue were less than fluoxetine and the Vitex agnus did less damage to the liver tissue.

Keywords:

Vitex agnus castus , Trichogaster trichopterus , Fluoxetine , liver , hepatic enzymes