Abstract

Background: Acetaminophen overdose is a major cause of drug-induced liver failure.
Objective: To investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and camel Milk (CM) on histo- pathological changes and changes in oxidant &antioxidant systems in liver caused by acetaminophen(APAP)-induced liver toxicity in mice.
Materials and Methods: Mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, with 6 mice per group; control, EVOO,CM, APAP, EVOO + APAP, CM +APAP. In APAP group, mice were treated with single dose acetaminophen (500mg/kg).Prophylactic groups were given EVOO and CM for 28 days before APAP administration, in the same dose as that of the toxic group. Liver enzymes, lipid profile, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant (TAC) activities were assessed. Result: In the toxicity group, increased concentrations of MDA and decreased TAC activities were found compared to the control groups (p < 0.05), with elevated liver enzymes. EVOO and CM treatment resulted in hepatoprotective effects as evident by a significant decrease in serum liver enzymes and liver malondialdehyde, with a synchronous increase in TAC compared to acetaminophen-treated group (p<0.05). Histopathological examination showed extensive centrilob- ular necrosis, hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes in APAP group. These changes were alleviated in the pretreatment groups with EVOO and CM. Conclusion: The present study showed that olive oil and camel milk have hepatoprotective action against acetami- nophen induced hepatotoxicity. Pretreatment with EVOO and CM markedly alleviates acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in mice possibly, in part, through anti-oxidative effects.