Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology

The present study was undertaken to explore the hepatoprotective potential of fresh fruit juice of Opuntia dillenii Haw. (FJOD) against paracetamol (PCM) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Protective effect was evaluated by measuring the physical parameters like wet liver weight and liver volume, serum levels of hepatic biomarkers, hepatic levels of oxidative stress parameters along with histopathological observations. The rats were allocated into six groups, of six animals per group. Rats were orally treated with fresh fruit juice of O. dillenii (2.5 ml/kg and 5 ml/kg) and Silymarin (100 mg/kg) for 7 days. Rats were intoxicated on 5^th day with PCM (2 g/kg, p.o.). After 7 days treatment, rats were anesthetized to withdraw blood and further sacrificed to collect liver and processed to assess parameters of liver and oxidative stress. The O. dillenii showed significant hepatoprotective activity by decreasing the levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin levels. Similarly, significantly preserved levels of hepatic catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and diminished contents of lipid peroxidation (LPO) were observed. Histopathological changes due to paracetamol intoxication were either partly or fully prevented in rat liver tissues pre-treated with fresh fruit juice of Opuntia dillenii. The present study suggests that fresh fruit juice of O. dillenii possess significant hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. This activity could be probably through its antioxidant potential.