Comparative effects of vitamin C and vitamin E pre-treatment in acute paracetamol induced toxicity on the liver of rats

Abstract

Paracetamol as an analgesic can also cause hepatotoxicity at high doses. This study is aimed at determining which of the two vitamins (Vitamin C or Vitamin E) is more potent in moping out the free radicals produced by paracetamol toxicity. Forty-eight male albino rats were used as my experimental model. The comparative hepatoprotective effect of vitamins C and E against paracetamol-induced toxicity was assessed in these rats. Vitamin C and Vitamin E at prophylactic dosage (80 mg / 2.4 ml, 90 mg / 2.7 ml, 100 mg / 3.0 ml and 110 mg / 3.3 ml respectively) were separately administered orally to the test rats concomitant with induced-paracetamol toxicity. Paracetamol toxicity was observed to increase significantly (P < 0.05) activities of serum ALT, AST, and ALP in male albino rats. Oral administration of prophylactic doses of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol decreased significantly (P < 0.05) activities of these parameters in male albino rats, compared with the non-treated test rats; but insignificant increase (P ≥ 0.05), compared with the control. Vitamin C and Vitamin E are hepato protective substances although Vitamin E is likely more potent than Vitamin C in moping of free radicals produced.