Hepatoprotective effect of ginger and grape seed, alone and in combination orally, in paracetamol induced acute liver toxicity in rats

Abstract

Liver toxicity due to overdoses of common medicines is not uncommon. Paracetomol (acetaminophen) is one of the most common medicines prescribed by physicians and its overdose is toxic to liver. Here, we investigated the hepatoprotective effects of ginger and grape seed alone and/or in combination against paracetamol induced liver toxicity in rats as the ginger may potentiate the effect of grape seed. Fifty-Six male albino rats were divided into seven groups: group (I) normal control, (II) positive control, (III & V) rats treated with ginger extract, (IV & VI) rats treated with grape seed extract and (VII) rats treated with ginger extract and grape seed extract in combination. All extracts were administered orally for 28 days. On day 29, groups II, V, VI and VII were orally administrated a single dose of paracetamol (2 g/kg) which resulted into a significant increase in plasma liver enzymes, TNF-α, NO and TBARS, and also a significant decrease in liver antioxidants as well as plasma HDL. Our results showed that the ginger and grape seed alone may be effective in the protection of liver toxicity. However, prominent effect was found in the combined treatment through radical scavenging effect and antioxidant activity which is confirmed by histopathological examination of the liver.