Abstract

A 21-day study was carried out to determine the effect of resin from Commiphora swynnertonii on plasma levels of glucose and lipids together with liver functions in both normal and carbon-tetrachloride-treated chickens. Sixty growing male broiler chickens were randomly assigned into six groups (n = 10). G1 was a negative control, which received distilled water throughout the experiment. G2 was a positive control and received 1.59 g CCl4 per kg body weight orally every other day to induce liver injury. G3 received 500 mg resin per kg body weight daily, while G4, G5 and G6 received 500, 750 and 1000 mg resin per kg body weight respectively daily plus 1.59 g CCl4 per kg body weight every other day, throughout the experiment. Plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, lipoproteins and total proteins together with liver functions were determined. Results revealed that oral administration of CCl4 caused liver injury with consequent significant increase (P < 0.05) in the plasma glucose and lipid levels. Also a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the activities of liver enzymes (P< 0.01) and a decrease in total plasma protein was evident. On the other hand, oral administration of moderate dose of the resin reversed these effects by significantly lowering plasma glucose and lipid levels while decreasing liver enzyme activities and boosting plasma protein levels. It is concluded that administration of moderate levels of C. swynnertonii to chickens was capable of reducing plasma levels of glucose (hypoglycemic effect) and lipids (hypolipidemic effect), while protecting the liver against the injury caused by CCl4 (hepatoprotective effect). These findings could have a positive implication on the use of the C. swynnertonii resin for treating diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in humans.

Key words: Commiphora swynnertonii, carbon tetrachloride, liver injury, hepatoprotective effect, plasma glucose, plasma lipids, chickens.