Investigation of the protective effects of oleuropein on hepatoxicity and oxidative stress induced by paracetamol in rats

Objective: In the study, the protective effects of oleuropein on hepatoxicity and oxidative stress induced by paracetamol in rats were investigated. Material and Methods: In the study, a total of 48 Wistar Albino rats, 5 months old male, with a bodyweight of 200-250 g were obtained from the Experimental Animal Production and Research Laboratory of Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, were used. Rats were control, paracetamol (3 g/kg/day), oleuropein (15 mg/kg/day), paracetamol+oleuropein (3+15; 3+30; 3+50 mg/kg/day, respectively) and paracetamol+N -acetylcysteine (3+150 g/kg/day) application was divided into 6 groups (n=8). The specified drug amounts were administered to the rats orally and as a single dose. 24 hours after administration, blood samples were collected for biochemical analyzes and liver tissue samples were collected for histological and oxidant (malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant (glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD)) parameter analyses. Results: Oleuropein (15 mg/kg/day) provides reduction of necrotic areas in the liver; however, it was observed that hepatocytes had swelling, vacuolar structure, and cord structure deterioration, and high-dose oleuropein (30 mg/kg/day) and paracetamol+N-acetylcysteine administration had better protective effects on the liver. In the paracetamol group; AST (P=0.020), ALT (P=0.012)), bilirubin (P=0.039), LDH (P=0.049), urea (P=0.049) and creatine (P=0.011) levels and MDA (P=0.046) levels was found to be significant. Liver CAT level was determined to be lower and significant (P=0.022) in the paracetamol+oleuropein (15 and 30 mg/kg/day) and paracetamol+NAC groups compared to the paracetamol group. Conclusion: In the study, it was determined that oleuropein administration could provide efficacy and reduce possible liver damage against hepatotoxicity and oxidative damage caused by paracetamol in the liver; however, it has been found to be supported by extended evaluation parameters at different doses and administration times. The results to be obtained in this context may contribute to the development of a new alternative preservative pharmacological model of oleuropein of economic and national origin. Keywords: Hepatoxicity, oleuropein, oxidative stress, paracetamol.