Abstract Diclofenac (DICLO) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug, used as an analgesic and antipyretic agent. Hepatotoxicity is uncommon with NSAIDs but with diclofenac becomes lethal complication. Wheat germ oil (WGO) is a potent antioxidant. Therefore, twenty four male rats were divided into four groups. First group served as control, second group received WGO (270 mg/kg, p.o.). Third group received DICLO (100 mg/kg, IM.), and fourth group received WGO followed by DICLO for 5 days. DICLO elicited a significant increase of liver enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α), and Caspase-3 (Casp-3) levels associated with a significant decline in glutathione reduced (GSH) content and Catalase activity, However, co-administration of WGO with DICLO evoked decrease of liver enzymes, MDA, NO, TNF- α, and Casp-3 levels, increased Catalase activity and GSH content. Eventually, we concluded that, WGO has ability to protect the liver against DICLO hepatotoxicity.
Keywords Diclofenac sodium, Wheat germ oil, Hepatotoxicity, Caspase-3.