Comparing the Effects of Genistein, Silymarin and Lecithin on Liver Necrosis Induced by Administration of Toxic-dose Paracetamol in Rats

Abstract

Background and AimsParacetamol, a widely used antipyretic and analgesic drug, has been known to induce liver toxicity resulting from free radical formation leading to necrotic hepatocytes. Oral genistein may reduce lipid peroxidation and increase total antioxidant capacity in liver. The present study aimed to compare the effects of administering genistein, silymarin and lecithin on necrotic hepatocytes in Wistar rats fed with toxic doses of paracetamol.MethodsThe study involved 48 male rats which were each given 600 mg/kg bodyweight (BW) of oral paracetamol then received one of four treatments 1) no additional intervention; 2) treatment with 2 mg/kg BW of genistein; 3) 50 mg/kg BW of silymarin; or 4) 100 mg/kg BW of lecithin. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bile acid, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured and centrilobular necrosis observed by histopathological examination. Data were analyzed statistically via ANOVA.ResultsAST and ALT levels were significantly lower in the genistein group (P = .004 and P = .000). The lowest bile acid levels were found in the lecithin group (P = .025), while the lowest MDA levels were found in the silymarin group (P = .009). The highest GSH levels were found in the lecithin group (P = .000). Genistein-treated subjects had the smallest percentage of centrilobular necrosis (P = .000).ConclusionsGenistein, silymarin and lecithin supplementation improved liver necrosis induced by toxic doses of paracetamol. Genistein had the most substantial effect on liver necrosis. Background and AimsParacetamol, a widely used antipyretic and analgesic drug, has been known to induce liver toxicity resulting from free radical formation leading to necrotic hepatocytes. Oral genistein may reduce lipid peroxidation and increase total antioxidant capacity in liver. The present study aimed to compare the effects of administering genistein, silymarin and lecithin on necrotic hepatocytes in Wistar rats fed with toxic doses of paracetamol. Paracetamol, a widely used antipyretic and analgesic drug, has been known to induce liver toxicity resulting from free radical formation leading to necrotic hepatocytes. Oral genistein may reduce lipid peroxidation and increase total antioxidant capacity in liver. The present study aimed to compare the effects of administering genistein, silymarin and lecithin on necrotic hepatocytes in Wistar rats fed with toxic doses of paracetamol. MethodsThe study involved 48 male rats which were each given 600 mg/kg bodyweight (BW) of oral paracetamol then received one of four treatments 1) no additional intervention; 2) treatment with 2 mg/kg BW of genistein; 3) 50 mg/kg BW of silymarin; or 4) 100 mg/kg BW of lecithin. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bile acid, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured and centrilobular necrosis observed by histopathological examination. Data were analyzed statistically via ANOVA. The study involved 48 male rats which were each given 600 mg/kg bodyweight (BW) of oral paracetamol then received one of four treatments 1) no additional intervention; 2) treatment with 2 mg/kg BW of genistein; 3) 50 mg/kg BW of silymarin; or 4) 100 mg/kg BW of lecithin. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bile acid, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured and centrilobular necrosis observed by histopathological examination. Data were analyzed statistically via ANOVA. ResultsAST and ALT levels were significantly lower in the genistein group (P = .004 and P = .000). The lowest bile acid levels were found in the lecithin group (P = .025), while the lowest MDA levels were found in the silymarin group (P = .009). The highest GSH levels were found in the lecithin group (P = .000). Genistein-treated subjects had the smallest percentage of centrilobular necrosis (P = .000). AST and ALT levels were significantly lower in the genistein group (P = .004 and P = .000). The lowest bile acid levels were found in the lecithin group (P = .025), while the lowest MDA levels were found in the silymarin group (P = .009). The highest GSH levels were found in the lecithin group (P = .000). Genistein-treated subjects had the smallest percentage of centrilobular necrosis (P = .000). ConclusionsGenistein, silymarin and lecithin supplementation improved liver necrosis induced by toxic doses of paracetamol. Genistein had the most substantial effect on liver necrosis. Genistein, silymarin and lecithin supplementation improved liver necrosis induced by toxic doses of paracetamol. Genistein had the most substantial effect on liver necrosis.