Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract and ascorbic acid modify hepatotoxic and renotoxic effects of metals in mice

Abstract

Ascorbic acid is a major constituent of the fruits of Phyllanthus emblica (Indian gooseberry), used in Indian indigenous medicine. Aqueous extracts of the fruit and ascorbic acid equivalent to that in the fruit extract were fed to albino mice for 7 consecutive days, followed by intraperitoneal injection of Pb (NO₃)₂ or Al₂(SO₄)₃.18 H₂O. The ability of the crude fruit extract and ascorbic acid to counteract the toxic effects induced by these metal salts in hepatic and renal tissues of the animals were studied. Histopathological observations revealed that both P. emblica fruit extract and ascorbic acid could prevent the toxic effects induced by both metals, but the extract was more effective than ascorbic acid alone.