Protective activity of an anthocyanin-rich extract from bilberries and blackcurrants on acute acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) overdosage can produce fatal centrilobular hepatic necrosis in humans. The present study attempted to investigate the protective effect of an anthocyanin-rich extract from bilberries and blackcurrants (AE) against APAP-induced acute hepatic damage in rats. Treatment with AE normalised blood activities of glutamate oxaloacetate and glutamate pyruvate transaminase and prevented APAP-induced plasmatic and tissutal alterations in biomarkers of oxidative stress, probably due to various bioproperties of the components of the extract.

Keywords:

• Acetaminophen
• hepatoprotection
• anthocyanin
• oxidative stress
• biomarkers

Acknowledgement

The authors gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance and participation in this study of Dr. Valeria D’Angelo, Dept. of Drug Sciences and Health Products, University of Messina.