Abstract:
Background: Doxorubicin is a known anticancer drug. This study evaluated the protective effects of
corn silk extract on hepatotoxicity induced by Doxorubicin in albino rats. Methods: This randomized
control trial was conducted in animal house of Anatomy Department, PGMI, Lahore, for one year in
2022. Thirty healthy adult albino rats of either sex, aging 6–8 weeks with 180–220 g of weight were
randomly allotted to three groups 1 (control), 2 (experimental group-1), and 3 (experimental group-2)
(n=10) that were given standard rat feed and distilled water ad libitum. Intraperitonially 1.2 mg/Kg
body weight distilled water and doxorubicin were given to group 1 and group 2+3 for 21 days
respectively. Group-3 was also given corn silk extract 400 mg/Kg/body weight by oral gavage for 21
days. On 22nd day, blood was drawn for biochemical analysis of alkaline phosphatase and gamma
glutamyl transpeptidase, and liver were preserved for tissue processing and histological analysis.
Results: Serum alkaline phosphatase of group 1 was 134.70±15.18, group 2 was 328.30±18.05, and
group 3 was 229.9±17.9. The serum gamma glutamyl transpeptidase of group 1 was 2.6±1.4, group 2
was 17.63±1.4, and group 3 was 9.6±1.2 (p<0.01). Histological analysis showed that group 1 rats had
normal liver histology. Sinusoidal congestion and granuloma formation was observed in all rats of
group 2. While in group 3, minimal sinusoidal congestion and granuloma formation was seen.
Conclusion: Corn silk extract has protective effects against doxorubicin induced liver damage.
