%0 Journal Article
%T Protective Effect of Acacia nilotica (L.) against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatocellular Damage in Wistar Rats
%A Narayanan Kannan
%A Kunnathur Murugesan Sakthivel
%A Chandrasekaran Guruvayoorappan
%J Advances in Pharmacological Sciences
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/987692
%X The potential biological functions of A. nilotica have long been described in traditional system of medicine. However, the protective effect of A. nilotica on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity is still unknown. The present study attempted to investigate the protective effect of A. nilotica against acetaminophen-induced hepatic damage in Wistar rats. The biochemical liver functional tests Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, total protein, oxidative stress test (Lipid peroxidation), antioxidant parameter glutathione (GSH), and histopathological changes were examined. Our results show that the pretreatment with A. nilotica (250£¿mg/kg¡¤bw) orally revealed attenuation of serum activities of ALT, AST, ALP, liver weight, and total bilirubin levels that were enhanced by administration of acetaminophen. Further, pretreatment with extract elevated the total protein and GSH level and decreased the level of LPO. Histopathological analysis confirmed the alleviation of liver damage and reduced lesions caused by acetaminophen. The present study undoubtedly provides a proof that hepatoprotective action of A. nilotica extract may rely on its effect on reducing the oxidative stress in acetaminophen-induced hepatic damage in rat model. 1. Introduction Liver disease is one of the major health problems worldwide because liver is a vital organ has a wide range of functions in the body, including biotransformation and detoxification of endogenous and exogenous harmful substances, plasma protein synthesis, and glycogen storage [1]. Hepatic injury is associated with distortion of various metabolic functions. It is well known that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species play a crucial role in initiation and progression of liver-associated diseases such as alcoholic and viral hepatitis, nonalcoholic steatosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma [2¨C4]. The progression of liver fibrosis may develop into cirrhosis and is associated with liver cancer. Nearly 10¨C20% of patients¡¯ progress to cirrhosis which further leads to increasing the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma [5]. Steroids, vaccines, and antiviral drugs have been employed for treatment of liver diseases which have adverse side effects if administrated for long term. Extensive studies reported that natural products with antioxidant activity are effective to prevent the oxidative stress-related liver pathologies due to particular interactions and synergisms [6]. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is widely used as analgesic and antipyretic drug. Acetaminophen is primarily
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aps/2013/987692/