Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the antioxidant and protective effect of an aqueous extract from Urtica dioica on liver injuries, induced by one of the most potent dietary carcinogenic agents N- Nitroso methyl urea (NMU). Firstly, the free radical scavenging activity of U. dioica extract was assessed by measuring its capability to scavenge the radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Liver injury was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of NMU (50 mg/kg) while the aqueous extract of U. dioica was administered orally to the experimental animals. Haematoxylin/ Eosin based histology was performed to evaluate the histological changes in the liver. The result suggest that U. dioica extract contains high content of polyphenols and able to reduce DPPH radical. Furthermore, NMU treatment induces steatosis in mice liver, which is accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration. Data show also that U. dioica extract can protect mice liver from NMU induced damage. These findings proved that U. dioica extract has an antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effect against NMU induced injury.

Key words: N-nitrosomethylurea, Urtica dioica, antioxidant, liver.