Phycocyanin improved alcohol-induced hepatorenal toxicity and behavior impairment in Wistar rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate a potential preventive effect of phycocyanin extract from Spirulina platensis against ethanol- induced hepatorenal toxicity and cognitive behavior impairment in male Wistar rats. The animals were randomly and equally divided into four groups (six animals each): control group received saline solution, ethanol (EtOH) group was injected intraperitoneally with 1 ml/kg of ethanol solution 38% (w/v), phycocyanin groups were treated with 25 (PC1) or 50 (PC2) mg/kg phycocyanin extract followed by ethanol administration. All treatments were conducted for 14 successive days. Results revealed that ethanol induced oxidative stress in brain, liver, and kidney by increasing lipid peroxidation level and SOD and CAT activities. Serum biochemical perturbations were also observed in EtOH group, which was indicated by a significant elevation in ALT, AST, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, and urea levels. Combined exposure to EtOH with phytocyanin contracted these biochemical alterations. Phycocyanin decreased also EtOH-induced anxiety and ameliorated exploratory behavior assessed by the elevated-plus maze and open field tests respectively.

Keywords:

• Phycocyanin
• ethanol
• hepatorenal toxicity
• cognition
• rat

Acknowledgements

Authors express their sincere thanks to Bio Algae Tunisia for the free supply of phycocyanin and Dr Sihem Ben Hassine for her technical assistance.

Author contribution

Boukari Oumayma carried out the experiments and contributed substantially to the original draf preparation. Khemissi wahid conrtibuted to the conception and material preparation. Ghodbane soumaya contributed to the analysis of the results. Tebourbi Olfa interpreted behavior data. Ben Rhouma Khemais contributed to the general planification and supervision of the research. Sakly Mohsen contributed to the coordination and the execution of the research. Hallegue Dorsaf contributed to the conception and the review the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).