Effect of Malphigia glabra (Acerola berry) in acetaminophen induced hepatic injury in rats

Abstract

Acetaminophen (APAP) is a widely used antipyretic-analgesic drug. Continuous and high doses of APAP produce toxicity by oxidative stress. The study was to evaluate the protective effect of Malphigia glabra (MG), a berry with high antioxidant potential in APAP induced oxidative liver damage. Group of eight adult male Wistar rats were administered with APAP @ 2 g/kg b.w. p.o. on day 1 and 2 and there after at 3 days interval upto day 18 along with MG extract @ 20 ml/ kg b.w. p.o. Same number of normal animals and treated with APAP alone (control) were used for comparison. The hepatoprotective activity of MG extract against hepatic injury was confirmed through changes in liver histopathology and reduction in the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The level of glutathione (GSH) was restored in MG treated animals which were comparable with that of normal animals. The hepatocellular deterioration was evidenced in group administered with APAP alone. The MG treated animals had reduced liver lipid peroxides and increased hepatic SOD activity. The aqueous extract of fruits of Malphigia glabra could prevent the oxidative hepatic injuries of APAP.