Hepatoprotective effect of punica granatum seed oil extract on paracetamol intoxication in rat via inhibory effect of cyp2e1

Abstract

Punica granatum seed oil enriched by punikalagins has been shown to have a therapeutic effect against antidiabetic, anticancer, antiinflammatory and some organ toxicities. We aimed to reveal both protective and therapeutic effects of punica granatum seed oil, which has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity on paracetamol-induced hepatic toxicity via biochemically, molecularly and pathologically in our study. Our study, 64 albino wistar rats were fasted for 24 h and then divided into 8 equal groups. Group 1: Healthy, Group 2: 2 g/kg of paracetamol (2a: 24 h, 2b: 48 h) (orally), Group 3: 140 mg/kg of n-acetylcysteine (orally) + paracetamol, Group 4: 0.32 mg/mL Punica granatum (i.p) + paracetamol, Group 5: 0.64 mg/mL Punica granatum + paracetamol, Group 6: Paracetamol + 0.32 mg/mL Punica granatum, Group 7: Paracetamol + 0.64 mg/mL Punica granatum, Group 8: Paracetamol + 140 mg/kg n-acetylcysteine. The study was terminated at 24 and 48 h after paracetamol administration. Serum ALT and AST levels were significantly increased at 24th and 48th h of paracetamol administration according to toxicity. While malondialdehyde, CYP2E1 and TNF-α levels also increased in the liver, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels decreased significantly. Increased ALT, AST levels with malondialdehyde and TNF-α levels significantly decreased by punica granatum seed oil (low doses) application and antioxidant levels were also significantly improved. Punica granatum seed oil may be used as a potential therapeutic agent in the future by strengthening the antioxidant system and preventing inflammation, especially liver toxicity due to overdose of paracetamol in suicide- battered individuals.

Keywords

• rat
• paracetamol
• toxicity
• liver
• punica granatum