Biochemical and Histopathological Evaluation of Mango Seed Extract Against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of hot alcoholic extract of Mangifera indica seeds against cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.
Methods: Fifty adult male Swiss albino mice were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 10/group): control, cyclophosphamide, mango seed extract administered before cyclophosphamide, and mango seed extract administered after cyclophosphamide. Cyclophosphamide was administered as a single dose of 100 mg/kg body weight by the intraperitoneal route, while mango seed extract was administered at 100 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage for 6 consecutive days before and 6 consecutive days after cyclophosphamide administration, according to the treatment schedule. Serum ALT, AST, and ALP activities were measured as biochemical indicators of hepatic injury, and liver tissues were examined histopathologically. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) post-hoc test, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.
Results: Cyclophosphamide significantly increased serum ALT, AST, and ALP activities compared with the control group (P < 0.001), indicating marked hepatic injury. Mango seed extract attenuated these alterations, with the cyclophosphamide followed by mango seed extract group showing the greatest improvement in biochemical parameters and hepatic architecture. Histopathological examination revealed hepatocellular degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, sinusoidal congestion, fatty degeneration, and focal necrosis following cyclophosphamide administration, whereas treatment with mango seed extract reduced these pathological alterations.
Conclusion: The hot alcoholic extract of Mangifera indica seeds at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight demonstrated a hepatoprotective effect against cyclophosphamide-induced liver injury in mice, with the post-cyclophosphamide treatment schedule showing the most pronounced improvement. These findings support the potential hepatoprotective activity of mango seed extract against drug-induced hepatic injury.