Effect of Emblica officinalis against alcoholinduced biochemical changes in plasma and red blood cells of rats

Abstract

Alcohol is widely abused as a psychoactive drug. Emblica officinalis is known for its therapeutic effects and the
present study is aimed at investigating therapeutic efficacy of aqueous extract of Emblica officinalis (AEEO) against
alcohol-induced damage. Thirty three percent (v/v) alcohol (10 g/kg body weight) and AEEO (250 mg/kg body
weight/day) was orally administered once a day for 60 days. Chronic alcohol feeding resulted in higher activities of the
alcoholic plasma marker enzyme gamma glutamyl transferase ( GT) and abnormalities in plasma lipid and
lipoproteins, minerals as well as activities of plasma transaminases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Chronic alcohol administration significantly lowered the activities of superoxide
dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in
erythrocytes. The AEEO supplementation to chronically alcohol fed rats beneficially modulated plasma lipids and
lipoprotein patterns, minerals, and vitamin C and also corrected zigzags in plasma enzyme activities and improved
antioxidant and defense enzyme machinery status. However, AEEO supplementation resulted in a significant increase
in GSH content and the activities of SOD, CAT and GPx. AEEO can contribute to the alleviation of alcohol induced
adverse effects by enhancing the status of antioxidant defense system and by regulating lipid and mineral
metabolism.