Potential Protective Effect of Melatonin on Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Albino Rats

Abstract

Objective: To determine the potential protective effect of melatonin on acetaminophen (APAP) induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar albino rats.

Study Design: Experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Pathology, SRMC, Tando Adam from March 2019 to January 2020 for a period of 10 months.

Materials and Methods: 100 adult male rats were divided into five groups; Group A – negative control, Group B (positive control), C, D and E were given APAP (2 gram/Kg daily orally). Groups C, D and E received melatonin therapy 5, 10 and 15 mg/dl daily orally for six weeks. Blood samples were collected and sera separated by centrifugation. Sera were used for the liver functions tests and natural anti – oxidant enzymes. Data was analyzed on statistical SPSS package (ver. 21.0 at p≤ 0.05 (Confidence interval 95%).

Results: Six weeks melatonin therapy shows significant improvement in serum bilirubin, Prothrombin time (PT), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and G-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and significant boosting effect on the superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) (P≤ 0.0005) was noted.

Conclusion: The present study reports potential protective effect of melatonin in acetaminophen (APAP) induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar albino rats.