The effect of hibiscus anthocyanins on 2, 4- dinitrophenylhydrazine-induced hepatotoxicity in rabbits

Abstract

This study examines the effects of anthocyanin extract of the dried calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn on the 2, 4-
dinitrophenylhydrazine (2, 4-DNPH)-induced toxic side effects in rabbits liver. The side effects of DNPH which include
tissue lipid peroxidation and depletion of antioxidant defenses were induced in rabbits with a single intraperitoneal
administration of the toxicant (28 mg kg-1
body weight) at the end of a 14-day treatment with Hibiscus anthocyanin
extract (100 mg kg-1
body weight twice daily) and after the animals have been fasted overnight. Four hours after the
toxicant administration, liver and blood of the experimental animals were analyzed for changes in the activities of
hepatic enzyme markers (alanine and aspartate aminotransferases; ALT and AST respectively). The hepatic levels of
malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble protein as well as antioxidant molecules, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced
glutathione (GSH) were also determined. The anthocyanin extract significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the serum levels of
the hepatic enzymes ALT and AST and reduced oxidative liver damage. The extract also significantly counteracted
the depleting action of DNPH on the liver protein, SOD and GSH levels. Relative to the DNPH treated group, the
extract significantly inhibited the formation of MDA in the liver. The data generated in this investigation show that the
anthocyanin extract of H. sabdariffa dried calyces has potent protective properties against 2, 4-
dinitrophenylhydrazine-induced oxidative hepatic toxicity in rabbits.