Chemical Composition and Protective Effect of Rosmarinus officinalis on Alcohol-Induced Serum Hepatic Changes and Liver Injury in Male Rats

Background: Is a pleasant-smelling perennial shrub that grows in many parts of the world, Rosmarinus officinalis a well known valuable herbal medicine which is widely used in pharmaceuticals and traditional medicine as a digestive, tonic, astringent, diuretic, diaphoretic and useful for urinary ailments. Objective: The objective of this study has, on the one hand, focused on the changes in hepatotoxicity induced by the chronic administration of ethyl alcohol according to a biochemical and histological experimental approach and, on the other hand, on the chemical composition which was determined. As well as, the hepato-protective effect of the ethanolic extract of Rosmarinus officinalis (EER), whether to restore or not the harmful alterations due to ethylism was evaluated. Method: The study included twenty-four male Wistar albino rats which were divided into four groups. The rats received ethanolic extraction of Rosmarinus officinalis orally at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Hepatotoxicity was induced orally with a daily dose of 05 mL of 20% alcoholic solution for 90 days. Results: The chemical characterization of the ethanolic extract of Rosmarinus officinalis (EER) by HPLC/UV shows the presence of polyphenolic compounds and numerous flavonoids, the main constituent of which is rosmarinic acid. It was noticed that the Ethanol caused an increase in liver function parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride and cholesterol, total bilirubin) compared to the control and oxidative stress through a significant decrease in antioxidant liver enzymes Superoxidase dismutase (9.39 U/mg), glutathione peroxidase (12.89 U/mg) and catalase (25.39 U/mg) and increased malondialdehyde levels. The histological study showed significant lesions in the liver. Conclusion: The disturbances in liver function, antioxidant status and structural damage to the liver caused by ethanol have been restored by the administration of the ethanolic extract of Rosmarinus officinalis which strongly justifies its therapeutic effect.