Protective effect of combined ginger and pumpkin seed extracts on cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that is widely used in cancer therapy. An important complication of this drug is hepatotoxicity. The hepatic prophylactic effects of ginger and pumpkin seeds were observed due to antioxidant effect. In the current study, the effects of ginger, pumpkin seed extracts, and their combination on cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats were investigated. In this intervention study, a total of 70 male rats were randomly divided into 10 groups. The blood was taken after 2 weeks of treatment. Liver enzyme levels including ALT, AST and MDA were measured. Sections of the livers of all groups were provided and then histologically evaluated. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS software version 16. A significant increase in liver enzymes was observed in rats treated with cyclophosphamide compared to other groups. Liver enzyme levels were decreased in rats treated with ginger, pumpkin seed and combined extracts (P < 0.05). Histological examination of liver samples treated with ginger, pumpkin seeds and combined extracts showed a significant reduction in liver damage compared to the cyclophosphamide-treated group (P < 0.05). Ginger, pumpkin seeds and combined extracts could improve biochemical parameters such as AST and ALT and pathological damage in the liver of cyclophosphamide-treated rats.