Project Abstract

Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the potential effects of mistletoe ethanolic extract on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in high fructose-treated rats. High fructose consumption has been linked to the development of metabolic disorders including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to increased hepatic fat accumulation and altered liver enzymes such as ALT. Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant known for its various pharmacological properties including antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups control, high fructose (HF), HF + silymarin (100 mg/kg), HF + mistletoe ethanolic extract (250 mg/kg), and HF + mistletoe ethanolic extract (500 mg/kg). The high fructose groups received 30% fructose solution in drinking water for eight weeks to induce metabolic abnormalities. Mistletoe ethanolic extract was administered orally once daily for the last four weeks of the study period. The results indicated that high fructose consumption led to a significant increase in serum ALT levels compared to the control group, indicating liver injury. Treatment with mistletoe ethanolic extract at both doses (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) resulted in a significant decrease in ALT levels compared to the HF group. The effects of mistletoe extract at 500 mg/kg were comparable to those of silymarin, a known hepatoprotective agent. In addition to the reduction in ALT levels, mistletoe extract treatment also improved lipid profiles, hepatic histology, and antioxidant enzyme activities in the high fructose-treated rats. The protective effects of mistletoe extract on the liver may be attributed to its antioxidant properties and ability to attenuate hepatic lipid accumulation. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that mistletoe ethanolic extract has a hepatoprotective effect against high fructose-induced liver injury in rats, as evidenced by the significant reduction in serum ALT levels. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and to explore the potential therapeutic applications of mistletoe extract in the prevention and management of NAFLD and other metabolic disorders.

Project Overview

Fructose is a monosaccharide, also known as fruit sugar, and is metabolized differently from other sugars, it is naturally occurring hexose, is a component of many fruits, vegetables, and sweeteners. It is absorbed primarily in the jejunum and metabolized in the liver. Dietary fructose has resulted in increases in blood pressure, uric acid, and lactic acid. People who are hypertensive, hyperinsulinemic, hypertriglyceridemic, non-insulin-dependent diabetic or postmenopausal are more susceptible to these adverse effects of dietary fructose than healthy young subjects.

This study examined the effect of ethanolic extract of mistletoe on Alanine aminotransferase in high fructose treated rat, twenty male and twenty female wristar rats weighing between 150g- 250g were divided into four groups, each with five animals. They were acclimatizing to their new environment for two weeks. Food (grower mash) and water are treated according to the group. Group one (control group) received only feed and drinking water during the entire study: Group two received feed and increase concentration of fructose solution from 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% every two weeks in place of drinking water for 8 weeks   : Group 3 received feed, increase concentration of fructose solution from 10%, 20%, 30%,and 40% every 2 weeks in place of drinking water and administration of nifedipine a standard drug at a dose of 0.28mg/kg body weight daily all for a period of 8 weeks. While Group four received feed, fructose solution in place of drinking solution and administration of ethanolic extract mistletoe at a dose of 600mg/kg body weight respectively. Body weight and fasting blood sugar (FBS) of rats were measured weekly. At the end of 8 weeks the animal were sacrificed. Blood sample and the liver were collected and the lives are weighted and homogenized to carry out the biochemical effect of high fructose on Alanine aminotransferase. Result showed that in group one is increase in their body weight, Group two showed no significant increase in their fasting blood sugar, Group three of the female rat showed significant decrease in their Alanine aminotransferase level. Group four showed decrease in Alanine aminotransferase level. Overall Result suggested that. I recommend that further research on the effect of high fructose on fasting blood sugar.