Publication:

Evaluation of detoxifying activity of ORGCHP against acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity in Sprague Dawley rats

Background Accumulation of toxins in the body over a period of time interferes with the normal body functioning. The removal of toxins from the body is called ‘detoxification’. The liver is the main organ involved in detoxification and damage to the liver may impede the removal of toxins. The present study assessed the hepatoprotective activity of an organic Chlorella vulgaris in acetaminophen-induced liver damage model.

Methods A total of 35 animals were randomized to five groups with seven animals in each group. The test drug, organic Chlorella vulgaris (ORGCHP; 350 mg/kg and 700 mg/kg) was compared with a reference standard (200 mg/kg). The positive control group and the vehicle control group were administered 0.5% w/v carboxy methyl cellulose. All groups received dose volume of 10 ml/kg for 10 days. Acetaminophen was given on day 8 and day 9. Blood collections were done at baseline day 1, day 8 and day 10. Outcome measures were the change in body weight, oxidation biomarkers, histopathological evaluation, gross pathological evaluation and relative body weight.

Results Test drug ORGCHP Chlorella vulgaris showed dose dependent reduction in hepatoxicity with high reduction in aspartate transaminase (AST) and modest lowering of alanine transaminase (ALT) (350 mg/kg; p.o.); while at high dose (700 mg/kg; p.o.) there was significant reduction in alkaline phosphatase (p<0.05), ALT (p<0.001) and AST (p<0.001) levels. No pathological or histopathological abnormality was seen in control group. In drug group, one animal showed minimal necrosis, while mild and moderate necrosis was seen in three animals each respectively.

Conclusions The test drug exhibits detoxifying and hepatoprotective activity against acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity.