Evaluation of in vivo Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activity of Portulaca oleracea L. against Paracetamol-Induced Liver Toxicity in Male Rats

Problem statement: Oxidative stress plays a major role in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. Portulaca oleracea (P.O.) has been shown to exhibit antioxidant properties. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of P.O. on the oxidative stress in Paracetamol-induced hepatic toxicity in male rats. Approach: Forty male rats were divided into four groups. Group I served as control; Group II Received isotonic saline for 20 days and then simultaneously administered with paracetamol 750 mg kg^−1 body wt. every 72 h for 10 days; Group III received freshly prepared P.O. for 30 days; Group IV received freshly prepared P.O. for 20 days and then simultaneously administered with paracetamol 750 mg kg^−1 body wt. every 72 h for 10 days. All animals were sacrificed cervical decapitation 24 h after the last application and the blood was collected for the determination of serum marker of lipid peroxidation, antioxidant and histology of the liver was performed. Results: Paracetamol treatment resulted in an increase in the hepatic TBARS content and depletion in total antioxidant capacity, reduced glutathione content, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Administration of P.O. with paracetamol significantly ameliorated the indices of hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol. In addition, P.O. alleviated paracetamol induced oxidative changes in liver. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that P.O. inhibits paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity and might serve as a protective agent with paracetamol to limit its free radical induced liver injury.