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Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2009 | Volume: 9 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 57-62
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Authors

B. Hemabarathy

Siti Balkis Budin

Victor Feizal

Keywords

Research Article

Paracetamol Hepatotoxicity in Rats Treated With Crude Extract of Alpinia galanga

B. Hemabarathy, Siti Balkis Budin and Victor Feizal
This study was conducted to observe the hepatoprotective effect of the crude extract of Alpinia galanga at 200 and 400 mg kg-1 against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups of four consisting of a control, 3000 mg kg-1 paracetamol as well as 200 and 400 mg kg-1 Alpinia galanga. The control group was orally fed with distilled water for eight days while the 3000 mg kg-1 paracetamol group was fed with distilled water for seven days followed by 3000 mg kg-1 paracetamol on day eight. The extract of Alpinia galanga was fed for seven days based on the respective doses followed by 3000 mg kg-1 paracetamol on day eight. Blood and liver samples were obtained from all the animals on the ninth day for biochemical analysis that includes total protein, aminotransferase enzymes (AST and ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as histological analysis (H and E staining). The results obtained showed that paracetamol given at the dose of 3000 mg kg-1 induced hepatotoxicity with significant decrease in serum protein levels and significant increase in serum AST and ALT levels as well as liver MDA levels at p<0.05. Supplementation with the extract of Alpinia galanga maintained serum protein and liver SOD levels similar to that of the normal control group. Significant decrease (p<0.05) in liver MDA levels as compared with the group treated with 3000 mg kg-1 paracetamol was observed in groups treated with the extract. Significant changes in MDA levels was also noted in group treated with 400 mg kg-1 Alpinia galanga against the group treated with 200 mg kg-1 Alpinia galanga. Histological analysis showed significant reduction in number of necrotic cells in both groups supplemented with the extract at p<0.05. The findings from the study showed that the crude extract of Alpinia galanga has protective effects against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity.
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