Antioxidative Effects of Allium Sativum Methanolic Extracts against Paracetamol induced Liver Toxicity

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidative effects of Allium sativum methanolic extracts on paracetamol induced hepatotoxic rats. Fifty-four adult male albino rats comprising of nine normal and forty-five paracetamol hepatotoxic rats were used for the study. The different biochemical parameters assessed were determined before the start of the study and subsequently monthly for the duration of the study. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase SOD, catalase CAT, reduced glutathione GSH as well as the concentration of malondialdehyde as an indicator of lipid peroxidation were measured to evaluate oxidative stress in the experimental rats. Blood samples were collected through the eye of the rats and serum was obtained by centrifugation and stored at -20oC prior to analysis. The effects of increasing dosages (200, 300 and 450mg/kg bw) of Allium sativum methanolic extracts studied produced a duration and dose dependent significant (p < 0.05) rise in superoxide dismutase, a duration and dose dependent significant reduction in malondialdehyde levels but a duration and dose independent significant rise in catalase and reduced glutathione of hepatotoxic rats when compared with those of the paracetamol, normal and silymarin control rats. The result of this experimental study provides sufficient scientific baseline information for the potential use of the methanolic extract of A. sativum as an antioxidant agent in the fight against oxidative stress mediated diseases. It may be concluded that A. sativum extracts may prevent oxidative changes in liver by reducing reactive oxygen species.