Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Potential of the Sulphated Polysaccharides Fraction of Turbinaria ornata against paracetamol-induced Liver Damage in Rats

Abstract

Aims: To assess the potential of the sulphated polysaccharides fraction from brown marine alga Turbinaria ornata in protecting the liver damage induced by high dose of paracetamol.
 Study Design: In the present work, liver damage was induced in rats with paracetamol. Simultaneously other groups of rats were given standard drug or Turbinaria ornata sulphated polysaccharides fraction. From the rats’ serum, parameters like alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides and reduced glutathione were determined; and from the liver homogenate, reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were determined for the evaluation of the hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of the sulphated polysaccharides fraction from Turbinaria ornata.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Adhiparasakthi College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), G.B. Nagar, Kalavai – 632 506, Tamil Nadu, India.
 Methodology: This study was performed using Wistar albino rats divided into six groups. Group 1 Control group. Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 received paracetamol (2 g/kg) for 7 days. In addition to paracetamol, group 3 received silymarin (100 mg/kg), groups 4, 5 and 6 received Turbinaria ornata sulphated polysaccharides fraction at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg respectively for 7 days. On the 8th day, serum and liver samples were collected from the animals and the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities were assessed by studying the levels of liver marker enzymes, bilirubin, protein, reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzymes.
 Results: Turbinaria ornata sulphated polysaccharides fraction, at the tested doses, restored the levels of all serum markers and enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides and reduced glutathione) as well as liver homogenate antioxidant markers (reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) significantly, in dose-dependent manner.
 Conclusion: This study suggests that the Turbinaria ornata sulphated polysaccharides fraction has a hepatoprotective effect against paracetamol-induced liver damage and possess antioxidant activities.