MVSc

The present study was designed to assess the effect of aqueous extract of mature fruits of Malphigia glabra (Acerola) berries on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Forty-two adult male Wistar albino rats were used for the experiment. The rats were randomly divided into five groups with eight animals each in G1, G2 and G5 and nine animals in G3 and G4. Group G1 served as normal control rats. The G2 (untreated vehicle alone) rats were administered with 40 % sucrose syrup p.o. @ 10 ml/kg b.w. on day one and two and then at three days interval for 21 days. The G3 group of rats were administered with paracetamol @ 2 g/kg b.w. p.o., on day one and two and at every three days interval upto day 18. The G4 (curative group) rats were administered with paracetamol p.o. @ 2 g/kg b.w. on day one and two and at every three days interval upto day 18 and Acerola berry extract (20 ml/ kg b.w., p.o.) for 21 days. The G5 (protective group) rats were given Acerola berry extract p.o. @ 20 ml/ kg b.w. for 17 days and paracetamol p.o. @ 2 g/kg b.w. on day 18 and 19.

Body weight was recorded at weekly intervals. Blood samples were collected from eight animals in each group on day zero, four, 10, and 21. In G5 group, an additional blood collection was made on 18th day of the experiment before administration of paracetamol. The haematological parameters such as total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, total leukocyte count (TLC) and differential leukocyte count (DLC) and serum biochemical parameters such as alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin:globulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, reduced glutathione were analysed. One animal each from G3 and G4 was euthanized on day four and rest of the rats were euthanized on day 21. Levels of liver reduced glutathione, lipid peroxides and superoxide dismutase (SOD) on 21st day were estimated. Representative samples of liver and kidney tissues collected on day four and 21 were subjected to histopathological examination.

Administration of paracetamol in G3 group caused a significant (P 0.05) increase in the levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP, total cholesterol, BUN and total, direct and indirect bilirubin while reduced glutathione content was significantly reduced. The activities of liver reduced glutathione and SOD were also decreased significantly whereas the liver lipid peroxide content was significantly increased. Haematological analysis showed significantly decreased TEC and Hb concentration and a significantly increased TLC with monocytosis. No significant (P> 0.05) variation was observed in body weight, and in the levels of serum total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin:globulin. Histopathology indicated necrosis of hepatic cells, diffused haemorrhage, central venous congestion and focal coagulation in liver; while tubular dilatation and congestion was observed in kidney.

Administration of Acerola berry extract along with paracetamol in G4 (curative group) rats effectively reversed the levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP, total cholesterol, BUN, total bilirubin (direct and indirect), reduced glutathione (in liver and serum), liver SOD and lipid peroxides in liver to normalcy signifying the antioxidant and hepatocurative effect of the extract. However, the active antioxidant components of Malphigia glabra such as vitamin C and polyphenols has a short half life, so that the berry extract could not produce any prophylactic effect against paracetamol induced toxicity in G5 (protective group) rats, evidenced by toxic range of values.