Protective effect of Polygonum odoratum L. on acetaminophen-induced liver injury in rats

This study aims to investigate the protective effect of the Polygonum odoratum L. on acetaminophen-induced liver injury in rats. 30 male Spraque Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups. Group I, II and III were given 5%Tween 80 whereas group IV and V were given 500 and 1000mg/kg body weight/day of the plant extract, respectively for 7 days. On day 8th, animal in group II-V were received acetaminophen 3g/kg body weight; group II also received N-Acetyl Cystein (NAC) 400mg/kg body weight at 2 hours after acetaminophen administrated. All animal were sacrificed on day 9 th and blood samples were collected for the determination of Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite formation. AST, ALT, MDA and nitrite levels were significantly higher in rats treated with acetaminophen alone compared with normal control (p<0.05). Pre-treatment of the animal with the extract and administration of NAC significantly reduced oxidative stress and liver injury induced by acetaminophen as shown by reduction of MDA, nitrite levels, AST and ALT levels compared to the rats treated with acetaminophen alone (p<0.05). In conclusion, the result of this study demonstrated that pre-treatment with the ethanolic extract of Polygonum odoratum can ameliorate oxidative stress and liver injury induced by acetaminophen.

Acknowledgement: This research was financially supported by Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University Research Fund.