The effect of Ankaferd blood stopper on liver damage in experimental obstructive jaundice

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the potential protective effects of Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS) in an experimental obstructive jaundice (OJ) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 26 female rats, which were divided into 3 groups. The sham group, consisting of 10 rats, (group 1) only received solely laparotomy. In the control group, consisting of 8 rats, (group 2), ligation was applied to the biliary tract and no treatment was implemented. In the treatment group, consisting of 8 rats, (group 3), following ligation of biliary tract, 0.5 mL/day ABS was given for 10 days. Liver tissue and blood samples were taken for histopathological and biochemical examination. RESULTS: Compared to group 2, group 3 had higher aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total oxidant status (TOS) malondialdehyde (MDA), fluorescent oxidant products (FOP), and lower expression of albumin and total antioxidant status (TAS) (P < 0.05). In histopathological analysis, the mean scores of all histopathological parameters (fibrosis, portal inflammation, confluent necrosis, interphase activity, bile duct proliferation) have statistical significance between group 2 and group 3 (P < 005). CONCLUSIONS: ABS has promising results in the treatment of experimental OJ because of its antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. It may be used in clinical practice after more extensive studies about the effects of ABS on OJ.