Effects of Methanolic Extract of Piper sarmentosum on Paracetamol-Induced Hepatic Oxidative Injury in Rats

Piper sarmentosum or kaduk has high content of naringenin, a natural antioxidant. In this study, paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity model was used to determine the antioxidant properties of kaduk. Eighteen male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into three groups. The treated group was given methanolic extract of kaduk at a dose of 500 mg/kg orally, while the other two groups received vehicle orally for 28 days. After 28 days, the treated group and another group (PCM) were given 1 g/kg paracetamol intraperitoneally, while the last group (Control) was only given vehicle intraperitoneally. After 24 h, their blood was collected for aminotransferase enzymes assay. Later, the rats were sacrificed and livers were harvested for determinations of malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl contents and superoxide dismutase activity. There was a significant decrease in the contents of malondialdehyde and carbonyl protein as well as a significant increase in the superoxide dismutase activity in the Kaduk+PCM group compared to PCM group. However, there was no significant reduction in the aminotransferase enzyme activities in the Kaduk+PCM group compared with the PCM group. In conclusion, the administration of methanolic extract of Piper sarmentosum at the dose of 500 mg/kg for 28 days has the protective effects on the rat liver against paracetamol-induced oxidative injury.