Ameliorative Effect of Natural Cocoa on Hepatic Injury Caused by Overdose of Paracetamol in Rats

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a widely used over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic drug which is known to cause liver injuries in both humans and experimental animals when administered in overdose. Supratherapeutic dose of paracetamol results in accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which impairs the antioxidants defence mechanisms and thus, causes a redox imbalance. The resulting oxidative stress plays a vital role in paracetamol-induced hepatic toxicity. Current well-known intervention for paracetamol toxicity involves the administration of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) which serves as a glutathione precursor. Cocoa flavanols have antioxidant properties, and hence potential to mitigate the effect of oxidative stress caused by paracetamol overdose and concomitant tissue damage. Aim: To investigate the ameliorative activity of natural cocoa in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methodology: 20 male Sprague Dawley rats were weighed and randomised into four groups of five (G1, G2,G3 and G4) and given the following daily treatment for 4 weeks: group one (G1) were administered with 350mg/kg body weight paracetamol via oral gavage and tap water for 24 hours; group 2 (G2) received 350mg/kg paracetamol via oral gavage, 2% (w/v) natural cocoa powder for 12 hours, and water for the next 12 hours ; group 3 (G3) received 350mg/kg paracetamol via oral gavage, 140mg/kg NAC after 3 hours and water for 24 hours; group 4 (G4), served as control group were given 1ml of distilled water via oral gavage and tap water, for 24 hours. All rats were given standard rat chow daily. After week 4, all rats were weighed and sacrificed; livers were harvested and histologically processed for histomorphometric analyses. Relative volume density of hepatocytes and central veins were assessed using standard stereological procedures.