Hepatotoxic Evaluation of Carboxymethylcellulose in Adult Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is an essential derivative of cellulose, which is employed in various applications in the food industry, detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, paper, adhesives as well as ceramics. There is a current concern that Carboxymethylcellulose may have some biological activity. This study evaluated the effects of CMC on some liver indices of adult Wistar rats. Methodology: Twenty (20) adult Wistar rats divided into four groups IIV of five animals each were used in the study. Group one (control) received distilled water, while groups II-IV received 5 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml, and 20 mg/ml respectively. Blood was collected and processed for laboratory assessments of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin and total protein. Results: The results obtained showed that; CMC had no significant effects on albumin, total protein, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). In contrast, a significant increase was seen in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level, which was dose dependent. The result also showed a significant decrease in alkaline-phosphatase (ALP) level. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that CMC possesses no hepatotoxic properties and the changes seen in our results are within the physiological range