Hepatoprotective Nature of Seaweed Alcoholic Extract on Acetaminophen Induced Hepatic Oxidative Stress

Abstract

We have examined the protective effect of Sargassum polycystum (Phaeophyceae) alcoholic extract against a single dose of acetaminophen (intraperitoneally, 800 mg/kg body wt in saline solution) induced hepatic oxidative stress in experimental rats. The levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, pyruvate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, creatinine and blood urea were determined. The activities of glutathione, vitamins (C & E) and the levels of lipid peroxides in the liver homogenate were also determined. The acetaminophen induction resulted a significant elevation in the levels of serum marker enzymes, bilirubin, and creatinine with decreased blood urea. The activities of hepatic glutathione and vitamins (C & E) were also significantly depleted with increased lipid peroxides in acetaminophen intoxicated rats. The oral pre-treatment with alcoholic extract of Sargassum polycystum (200 mg/kg body wt/day for a period of 15 days) showed hepatoprotective nature against acetaminophen induced biochemical changes in the serum and liver tissue. The animals pre-treated with Sargassum polycystum extract alone, did not show any toxicity in the liver tissue, which was confirmed by histopathological studies. These results suggest that the Sargassum polycystum alcoholic extract may probably acted as a natural antioxidant against acetaminophen induced hepatic oxidative stress.