Pharmacological screening of hepatoprotective activity of vanillylacetone in paracetamol induced hepatotoxic rats

Paracetamol is often used as a pain reliever and fever reducer. However, when taken in excessive amounts or used repeatedly, it may result in adverse consequences, such as liver damage. The current study aims to assess the hepatoprotective effects of Vanillylacetone against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, at a dosage of 2g/kg body weight administered orally. A dose of 100 mg/kg of Silymarin was administered orally as a standard reference. On the eleventh day, animals were euthanized and blood samples were collected to assess liver function using liver profile tests including ALT, AST, bilirubin, and total protein levels. The result was also validated by the histopathological examination of liver tissue samples. The administration of 400 mg vanillylacetone per kilogram of body weight per day to group-V rats resulted in a notable reduction in the levels of AST, ALT, direct and total bilirubin, and a considerable rise in total protein levels compared to group-II rats. The hepatoprotective effects of a daily dose of 400 mg vanillylacetone per kilogram were found to be similar to those of a daily dose of 100 mg silymarin per kilogram. Administration of vanillylacetone has effectively restored the aberrant levels of biochemical markers to almost normal levels, with the degree of improvement being depending on the dosage. The current investigation demonstrates that vanillylacetone provides substantial protection against hepatocellular damage generated by paracetamol.