The protective role of α-tocopherol, vitamin C and quercetin against ibuprofen-induced liver damage in male Wistar rats

Aim: Ibuprofen which is one of the frequently used analgesics has been associated with some adverse effects, including liver injury. The protective role of α-tocopherol, vitamin C and quercetin against ibuprofen-induced liver damage in male Wistar rats were investigated in this study. Method: The study design included; induction of liver damage using ibuprofen, and secondly, determination of the protective role of α-tocopherol, vitamin C and quercetin against ibuprofen-induced liver injury. In the first phase, two groups of animals were used; one group treated with 120 mg/kg ibuprofen daily for 14 days, while the other served as control and given distilled water. After treatment, the serum malondialdehyde, liver enzymes and total bilirubin were estimated, and the liver harvested for histology. In the protection study, there were four treatment groups, each having three sub-groups, treated with 120 mg/kg Ibuprofen and graded doses of vitamin E, vitamin C and quercetin respectively, while the fifth group given distilled-water served as control. After 14 days, antioxidant enzymes and liver parameters were estimated, while the liver harvested for histology. Results: Showed increase in aspartate transaminase and Alkaline phosphatase activities, and significant (p<0.05) increase in malondialdehyde levels, alanine transaminase and total bilirubin, after ibuprofen administration. Conversely, there was significant (p<0.05) reduction in liver parameters after co-administration of antioxidants with ibuprofen, and significant (p<0.05) increase in the activity of total glutathione and catalase enzymes. The estimated antioxidant’s percentage protection showed the antioxidants offered variable degree of protection on the liver against ibuprofen-induced damage. Histology revealed cellular and portal infiltration of inflammatory cells, macrophage aggregation, and some parenchymal necrosis, after ibuprofen administration, but showed normal histo-architecture after co-administration with antioxidants.