Ginger, cumin and mustard seeds modulate acetaminophen-induced acute hepatic injury in rats

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to compare the hepatoportective effects of some common spices including ginger (Zingiber officinale), cumin (Cuminum cyminu) and mustard (Sinapis alba) against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatic injury. Methods: Forty eight adult male Sprague Dawely rats were randomly divided into eight groups (n=6). Groups from 1 to 4 (used as control groups) fed on either a basal diet or diets supplemented with one of the three tested spices (2% w/w) for five weeks followed by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of single dose of saline (2 ml). Groups from 5 to 8 fed on the same previous diets for five weeks followed by i.p. injection of single dose of APAP (500 mg/kg body weight). Subsequently, rats from all groups were sacrificed after 24 hours of injection. Results: Biochemical examination revealed that the administration of APAP caused liver injury in the rats, including increased serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the level of total bilirubin, decreased serum total proteins and albumin, depleted whole blood and hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH), elevated plasma and hepatic malondiadhyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) and decreased the activities of erythrocytes glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), plasma catalase and hepatic GPX, SOD and catalase. However, pretreatment with the tested spices significantly alleviate these hepatic diagnostic and oxidative stress markers nearly to the same extent. Conclusion: Pretreatment with ginger or cumin or mustard led to a significant attenuation of the liver injury induced by APAP. These effects are probably related to the antioxidant activity associated with the free radical scavenging property of these spices.