Potential beneficial effect of naringenin on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in rats with ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity.

Objectives: The aim was to study the effect of naringenin, a biologically active compound, on tissue antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Methods: Rats were divided into four groups: Groups 1 and 2 received isocaloric glucose and 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose; groups 3 and 4 received 20% ethanol equivalent to 6 g/kg daily for 60 days. In addition, groups 2 and 4 were given naringenin (50 mg/kg) daily for the last 30 days of the experiment.

Key Findings: The results showed significantly elevated levels of serum aspartate and alanine transaminases, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides and protein carbonyl content, and significantly lowered activities/levels of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, reduced glutathione and vitamins C and E in ethanol-treated rats compared with control rats. Administration of naringenin to rats with ethanol-induced liver injury significantly decreased the levels of serum aspartate and alanine transaminases, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides and protein carbonyl content and significantly elevated the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase, and the levels of reduced glutathione and vitamins C and E in the tissues compared with unsupplemented ethanol-treated rats. Histological changes observed in the liver correlated with the biochemical findings.

Conclusions: Taken together these findings suggest that naringenin has a therapeutic potential in the abatement of ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity.