Geraniol attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced liver fatty acid alterations in male rats.

Background: Hydrogen peroxide (HO) is an oxidant agent and this molecule naturally occurs in the body as a product of aerobic metabolism. Geraniol is a plant-derived natural antioxidant. The aim of this study was to determine the role of geraniol on hepatic fatty acids alterations following HO-induced oxidative stress in male rats.

Methods: After randomization, male Wistar rats were divided into four groups ( = 7 each group). Geraniol (50 mg/kg, dissolved in corn oil) and HO (16 mg/kg, dissolved in distilled water) were administered by an intraperitoneal injection. Administrations were performed during 30 days with 1-day interval.

Results: Administration of HO resulted with a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and a significant decrease in glutathione (GSH) peroxidase glutathione level; geraniol restored its effects on liver. However, hepatic catalase (CAT) activities were significantly higher in HO, geraniol, and geraniol+HO groups than control group. The ratio of hepatic total saturated fatty acids increased in HO-treated animals compared with control. In addition, hepatic total unsaturated fatty acids reduced in HO group compared with control. The percentages of both hepatic total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were not different between geraniol+HO and control groups.

Conclusions: HO-induced oxidative stress may affect fatty acid composition in liver and body. Geraniol can partly restore oxidative hepatic damage because it cannot completely reverse the HO-induced increase in hepatic CAT activities. Moreover, this natural compound can regulate hepatic total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids percentages against HO-induced alterations.