Prevention of the Paracetamol-Induced Liver Injury with Pycnogenol® in Rats

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pycnogenol®, an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory,
and anti-cancer agent, on paracetamol-induced oxidative liver injury in rats. Albino Wistar rats were divided three groups of six rats: paracetamol (PAC), pycnogenol® and paracetamol (PPC), and healthy (HG)
groups. Forty mg/kg pycnogenol (to PPC) or distilled water (to PAC, healthy group) was administered to
the stomach of the rats by oral gavage. One hour before the medications 1000 mg/kg paracetamol was orally
administered to the PPC and PAC groups. In PAC group levels of alanin aminotransferase (ALT), asparatate
aminotransferase (AST), and malondialdehyde (MDA) increased (p < 0.001), whereas the levels of total glutathione (tGSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPO), and glutathione reductase (GRx) decreased (p < 0.001) compared to HG. In PPC group, the levels of ALT, AST, and MDA decreased (p < 0.001); and the levels of tGSH,
GPO, and GRx increased (p < 0.003) compared to the PAC group. The histopathological examination showed
dilated and congested blood vessels, hemorrhage, destruction, and edema in the liver tissue of PAC group.
However, in the PPC group, mild dilatation and congestion were the only pathological findings. The results
of our study indicate that pycnogenol® is a promising agent acting against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity.