Protective Effect of Hydroethanolic Extract of Cress against Hepatotoxicity due to Acetaminophen in Rats

Background and Acetaminophen is a routine analgesic and antipyretic agent that in overdose causes liver and kidney necrosis in both humans and animals. The cress (Lepidium sativum L.) contains flavonoid، alkaloid، and antioxidant components. In this study we investigated the hepatic protection of the hydroethanolic extract of cress against hepatotoxicity due to acetaminophen. Forty-two rats were randomly divided into six groups. The first (control) and second (test without treatment) groups were administered the solvent of drug in the morning (08:00) and evening (16:00) on days 1 and 2 but، the third، fourth، and fifth groups received 200، 500، and 1000 mg/kg b. w of the extract of the cress، respectively. The sixth group (positive control) received 200 mg/kg b. w silymarin. Then all groups، except the control group، received 400 mg/kg acetaminophen per os on day 2 (10:00). After 24 hr، all blood samples were collected for determination of GOT (glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase)، GPT (glutamic- pyruvic transaminase)، ALP (alkaline phosphatase)، malondialdehyde (MDA)، and serum antioxidant capacity. Also، a piece of liver was used for determining catalase activity and histopathological studies. For statistical analysis of the data، group means were analyzed with one way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test for multiple comparisons. Serum GOT، GPT، ALP، and MDA reduced significantly (P< 0. 001) in the treated groups with the extract of cress compared to acetaminophen group without treatment. The reduction of GPT and ALP were dose dependent. The serum antioxidant capacity and liver catalase in treated groups with the extract of the cress and silymarin treated group elevated significantly (P< 0. 001) compared to the acetaminophen group without treatment. The liver histopathology in rats treated with the extract of cress showed a remarkable reduction of lymphocyte infiltration compared with rats without treatment (group two). These results demonstrate that the extract of the cress have protection effect against hepatotoxicity due to acetaminophen.