The protective effect of cold-pressed coriander (Coriandrum sativum) oil (CO) against the toxicity caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats was studied. CO is characterized by its high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols and phenolic compounds. Male Wistar rats were orally treated with two doses of CO (100 and 200 mg/kg) with administration of CCl4 (1 mL/kg, CCl4 in olive oil) for 8 weeks. Liver biochemical parameters were determined in animals treated with CO. The results clearly demonstrated that CO augments the antioxidants’ defense mechanism against CCl4-induced toxicity and provides evidence that CO may have a therapeutic role in free radical–mediated
diseases. Treatment with CO significantly reduced the impact of CCl4 toxicity on aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, kidney function indicators, protein profile, lipid profile and antioxidant markers of CCl4-induced liver injury rats. The overall potential of the antioxidant system was significantly enhanced by the CO supplements as the hepatic malondialdehyde levels were lowered, whereas reduced glutathione levels were elevated. The hepatoprotective impact of CO was also supported by histopathological studies of liver tissue. Histopathological examination showed that CO reduced fatty degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolization and necrosis in CCl4- treated rats. The results indicate the potentiality of CO to act as natural antioxidant by preventing the peroxidative damage caused by CCl4.
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