The investigation of fig (Ficus carica) seed oil effects on experimental acetaminophen-induced toxicity in rats

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of fig (Ficus carica, FCY) seed oil on DNA, liver and kidney tissues and its effects on antioxidant/oxidant balance in rats toxicated with acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP). Material and Methods: 48 Wistar albino female rats were divided into 6 groups; control, APAP, FCY-1, FCY-2, APAP+FCY-1 and APAP+FCY-2. Fig seed oil was given at a dose of 3 ml/kg/day to FCY-1 groups and 6 ml/kg/day to FCY-2 groups. After 7 days of FCY-1 and FCY-2 applications, APAP toxicity was induced at a dose of 3 g/kg. The indicated pharmacological agents were administered by oral gavage. Blood samples were taken from anesthetized rats 24 hours after APAP application, and liver and kidney tissues were taken after euthanasia. Results: The results of biochemical parameter analyses from serum samples indicated statistically higher levels of ALP, AST, and creatinine in the APAP group compared to other experimental groups. When antioxidant and oxidant parameters of tissues were compared between the APAP group and FCY-treated toxicosis groups, superoxide dismutase activities (except APAP+FCY-2 group of kidney tissue), glutathione levels (except APAP+FCY-1 group of liver tissue), and catalase activities (except APAP+FCY-1 group of liver tissue) were found to be statistically higher, while malondialdehyde levels were statistically lower. In the measurement of DNA damage from lymphocytes, it was determined that the tail moment and tail density were significantly higher in the APAP group compared to both the APAP+FCY-1 and APAP+FCY-2 groups. Histological evaluations of both tissues revealed widespread bleeding, focal necrosis, and loss of glycogen storage capability in the APAP group, whereas findings in the toxicosis groups treated by FCY were similar to the control group. Conclusion: Our study concluded that fig seed oil has hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects in experimental acetaminophen toxicity. Keywords: Acetaminophen, Ficus carica, Oxidative damage, Rat, Toxicity.