Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Pharmacy - Department of Biochemistry

Acetaminophen (APAP) is a common antipyretic drug but at overdose can cause severe hepatotoxicity and even liver failure and hepatic centrilobular necrosis in experimental animals and humans. This work aimed to investigate the protective role of Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) leaves (MPL) extract in acetaminophen (APAP) induced liver injury in rats caused by oxidative damage. The MPL extract exhibited a considerable antioxidant potential in DPPH assay compared to ascorbic acid. Induction of hepatotoxicity was done by chronic administration of APAP (750 mg/kg bwt p.o) for 4 weeks. To study the possible hepatoprotective effect, Moringa peregrina leaves extract low dose (200 mg/kg bwt p.o) (L. MPL), Moringa peregrina leaves extract high dose (400 mg/kg bwt p.o) (H.MPL) or Silymarin (SIL) (50 mg/kg bwt p.o) was administered. A mixture of (L.MPL+ SIL) was administered to examine the synergestic effect. APAP significantly increased serum liver enzymes and decreased total protein (TP). Conversely, (MPL and/or SIL) administration significantly reduced these biochemical parameters.The oxidative stress was assessed by increased tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), hepatic DNA fragmentation, and significant decrease of glutathione (GSH) content and antioxidant enzymes in liver, blood and brain. Administration of MPL reversed APAP-related toxic effects through powerful MDA suppression, GPx normalization and stimulation of the cellular antioxidants synthesis represented by significant increase of GSH content, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations in liver, blood and brain. As well DNA fragmentation was significantly decreased in the liver tissue. In conclusion, the outcome of the present work suggested that MPL extract could be used successfully as a prophylactic agent against liver injury

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