Hepato-protective potential of carotenoid <i style="">meso-</i>zeaxanthin against paracetamol, CCl₄ and ethanol induced toxicity

Abstract

Hepato-protective potential of carotenoid <i style="">meso-</i>zeaxanthin [(3R, 3’S)-<img src='/image/spc_char/beta.gif' border=0>, <img src='/image/spc_char/beta.gif' border=0>-carotene-3, 3′-diol] was studied using <i style="">in vivo</i> rat models. Paracetamol (3 g/kg body wt, orally), 20% ethanol (7.5 g/kg body wt, orally) and CCl₄(2.5ml /kg, ip) were used as hepato toxins. Levels of marker enzymes of hepatic injury such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase, and serum bilirubin, which were drastically elevated by these hepato toxins were significantly decreased by <i style="">meso-</i>zeaxanthin pretreatment in a dose-dependent manner. Oxidative stress markers, tissue lipid peroxidation, conjugated dienes and tissue hydroperoxides, were high in the paracetamol treated control group animals, which were lowered by <i style="">meso-</i>zeaxanthin administration. Level of glutathione and antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, in liver tissue was increased by <i style="">meso-</i>zeaxanthin pretreatment compared to control group during alcohol and CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity. Hydroxyproline, an indicator of fibrosis in liver tissue, decreased remarkably by <i style="">meso-</i>zeaxanthin administration despite its notable elevation in ethanol treated rats. Histopathological analysis of liver tissue showed the hepatoprotective potential of <i style="">meso-</i>zeaxanthin.