Biochemical and Histological Effects of Ethanolic Solanum lycopersicum Fruit Extract on Aspirin-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Aspirin is widely used for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties but may produce tissue injury, including hepatic alterations at high or repeated exposure. Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant and potentially protective properties. This study investigated the biochemical and histological effects of ethanolic S. lycopersicum fruit extract on aspirin-induced hepatotoxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of five animals. Group A served as the normal control, while Group B received aspirin (300 mg/kg). Groups C, D, and E received aspirin (300 mg/kg) followed by ethanolic tomato fruit extract at 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, respectively, for 14 days. Serum AST, ALT, and ALP, relative liver weight, body weight, food and fluid intake were assessed. Liver tissues were examined histologically following haematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: AST was significantly higher in Groups C, D, and E than in the aspirin-only group (P<0.05). ALP was significantly increased in Groups C and D but not Group E. ALT showed no significant differences among groups. Relative liver weight did not differ significantly. Histologically, the aspirin-only group showed moderate hepatocellular degeneration, inflammatory-cell aggregation, hepatocellular clearing, and cytoplasmic ground-glass changes. Extract-treated groups demonstrated moderate hepatic regeneration with generally mild inflammatory changes. Conclusion: Ethanolic S. lycopersicum fruit extract was associated with histological evidence of hepatic regeneration following aspirin exposure, although biochemical findings did not demonstrate consistent hepatoprotection. Further studies incorporating oxidative-stress markers and phytochemical characterization are warranted.