Abstract

Objective: To investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Vitamin C in propanil intoxiciated Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty-four adult male rats were divided into four equal groups of six each: control; 100mg propanil/kg; 100mg vitamin C/kg; propanil (100mg/kg) plus vitamin C (100mg/ kg). Treatment was via oral route and was administered once daily for 7 days.Animals were orally treated once daily for 7 days. The effect of propanil on liver lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and biochemical parameters as well as the possible attenuation of its toxicity by vitamin C was studied. Results: Compared to the control group, propanil treatment significantly increased serum total cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase levels (AST), and significantly lowered triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and total protein (TP) levels. Results obtained furthermore showed that propanil significantly (P<0.05) induced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels while the activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were decreased in the liver tissues. However, co-administration of propanil with vitamin C ameliorated the harmful effects of propanil in most of the tested parameters. Liver histological studies revealed changes in liver tissues and the protective role of vitamin C. Conclusion: The present study suggests that Vitamin C could be an important dietary component based on its ability to attenuate propanil induced hepatotoxicity

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