The protective and therapeutic effects of Persian Gulf sea cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota) on Carbon tetrachloride -induced hepatotoxicity in Molly Fish (Poecilia sphenops)

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl۴) is a well-known toxicant in exposed animals. It is assumed sea cucumber has medical properties. So, the protective and therapeutic effects of ethanol extract of the Persian Gulf sea cucumber (EEPGSC) on CCl۴-induced hepatotoxicity in Molly Fish (Poecilia sphenops). A total ۹۰ Molly fish were randomly divided into ۹ experimental groups as follows: Group (C۰): had no received injections. Group (C۱): fish injected with olive oil (۱ mL/kg, i.m.). Group (C۲): injected with ethanol (۱۰۰ mg/kg, i.m.) Group (C۳): injected with CCl۴ (۱ mL/kg, i.m.) on day ۱st. Group (T۱): fish injected with CCl۴ (۱ mL/kg, i.m.) and then with EEPGSC (۱۰۰ mg/kg, i.m.). Group (T۲): injected with CCl۴ (۱ mL/kg, i.m.) then with EEPGSC (۲۰۰ mg/kg, i.m.). Group (C۴): had no received injections for ۲۰ days, then injected with CCl۴ (۱ mL/kg, i.m.) on day ۲۱. Group (T۳): injected with EEPGSC (۱۰۰ mg/kg, i.m.) for ۲۰ days (given on alternate days) then injected with CCl۴ (۱ mL/kg, i.m.) on day ۲۱. Group (T۴): fish injected with EEPGSC (۲۰۰ mg/kg, i.m.) for ۲۰ days (given on alternate days) then injected with CCl۴ (۱ mL/kg, i.m.) on day ۲۱. After the last injection, body length (cm), weight (g), GIS index and liver alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined. No significant difference detected in body weight and length compared to the control groups (p>۰.۰۵). Injection of the different levels of the EEPGSC (۱۰۰ and ۲۰۰ mg/kg, i.m.) decreased CCl۴-induced ALP, ALT and AST levels compared to the C۴ groups (p<۰.۰۵). These results suggested EEPGSC had protective and therapeutic effect against CCl۴-induced hepatotoxicity in Molly fish.

Keywords:

Persian Gulf sea cucumber , Hepatotoxicity , Molly Fish