Protective effect of Quercetin in the Regression of Ethanol-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Abstract

This study examined the protective effects of quercetin on chronic ethanol-induced liver injury. Rats were treated with ethanol at a dose of 4 g/100 g/day for 90 days. After ethanol intoxication, levels of serum amino transferases were significantly elevated. Decreased activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase was also observed on ethanol administration. Increased amounts of lipid peroxidation products viz. hydroperoxides, conjugated dienes and malodialdehyde were observed on ethanol intoxication. Ethanol administration resulted in significant decrease in liver glutathione content. After 90 days, the control animals were divided into two groups, the control group and the control+quercetin group. Ethanol-treated group was divided into two groups, abstention group and quercetin-supplemented group. After 30 days, the animals were sacrificed and various biochemical parameters were analyzed. The changes in enzyme activities as well as levels of lipid peroxidation products were reversed to a certain extent by quercetin. Quercetin supplementation resulted in increase of glutathione content to a significant level compared to normal abstention group. Quercetin supplemented group showed a faster recovery than abstention group. This shows the protective effect of quercetin against chronic ethanol induced hepatotoxicity. Histopathological study is also in line with these results.

Keywords: Quercetin; ethanol; hepatotoxicity; lipid peroxidation; serum amino transferases.

Fig. 1

Experimental design n=number of animals

Fig. 2

Histopathological sections of liver Microphotograph of the liver of the different treatment groups. Magnification 40 X, H and E staining. a) Ethanol-treated group- Damage is noted in the slide as necrosis, ballooning of hepatocytes, steatosis, vacuolization and dilation of sinusoids; b) Control group showing the structure of normal liver. Normal hepatocytes are seen. c) Control+quercetin-treated group, shows hepatocytes with normal structure. d) Ethanol-abstention group, marked damage to hepatocytes is noted. Sinusoidal dilation is seen. e) Ethanol+quercetin-treated group, the damage is of lesser degree compared to ethanol group. Mild ballooning of hepatocytes is noted.