Experimental Evaluation of Dose‐Dependent Hepatorenal Toxicity of Traditionally Prepared Arak in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Background: Arak is the most popular traditional alcohol in Ethiopia. Although it is widely consumed across the country, its effects on different organs have not been well studied yet. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the dose‐dependent hepatorenal toxicity of traditionally prepared Arak in Swiss albino mice. Methods: The investigation utilized 24 newly bred Swiss albino mice (12 males and 12 females) aged 8–10 weeks, divided into four groups of six individuals each (three males and three females), with Group I receiving 1 mL of distilled water/kg, and Groups II–IV receiving 1 mL/kg of 20%, 40%, and 45% Arak, respectively, orally on daily basis for six weeks; the investigation included blood, urea and nitrogen; creatinine; aspartate transaminase; alanine aminotransferase; and histological examination. Results: The study found that Arak and its metabolite, ethanol, have a dose‐dependent negative impact on the liver and kidney’s microstructures, and Arak has a significant dose‐dependent effect on decreasing body weight, increasing serum levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase, and elevating serum levels of blood, urea, and nitrogen and creatinine in Swiss albino mice. Higher doses of 1 mL of 40% and 1 mL of 45% Arak/kg caused inflammation, edema, obscured Bowman’s capsule, foamy appearance, and necrosis, while lower doses of 1 mL of 20% Arak/kg had a lesser impact. Further research is needed to evaluate the effect of Arak on human hepatorenal structures and biomarkers.