Amelioration of Paracetamol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rat by the Administration of Chloroform extract of Argemone mexicana

Aim: The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of Chloroform extract of Argemone mexicana using the paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats as the animal model. Materials and methods: Chloroform extract of Argemone mexicana (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) was administered daily in experimental animals. The hepatoprotective efficacy of Chloroform extract of Argemone mexicana (100 and 200 mg/kg) was investigated against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. The levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and triglycerides were estimated. Moreover, chloroform extract of Argemone mexicana -aided antioxidant defense against hepatotoxic insult of paracetamol was measured by evaluating a number of anti-oxidative biomarkers including reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum. Results: Oral administration of paracetamol (500 mg/kg b.wt.) resulted in a significant elevation of liver enzymes in serum such as SGOT, SGPT, ALP, bilirubin and triglyceride levels when compared with the results in the control group. As regards oxidative stress biomarkers, there were increased tissue levels of malondialdehyde in the group treated with paracetamol. All of these results were ameliorated by co-administration of chloroform extract of Argemone mexicana. Conclusions: These results suggest that the protective role of Chloroform extract of Argemone mexicana in the prevention of PCM-induced hepatic toxicity in rats was associated with a decrease of oxidative stress in hepatic tissues. Keywords: Antihepatotoxicity; Chloroform extract of Argemone mexicana; Paracetamol