Ulva fasciata, a green alga, attenuates the kidney and liver dysfunctions in rats induced by acetaminophen

Abstract

Acetaminophen (AAP) is an analgesic–antipyretic drug which is considered safe at recommended dose, but its overuse may induce renal and hepatic injuries. Marine macro algae have great potential against drug-induced renal and hepatic dysfunctions. The present study described the reno-protective and hepato-protective effects of the ethanol extract of an edible green alga Ulva fasciata and its fractions (n-hexane, chloroform and methanol) against AAP toxicity. In the 1^st set of experiment, rats were divided into five groups. Of which two were treatment groups beside three controls, the first treatment group was given ethanol extract of U. fasciata alone and the second group was given the same extract with AAP. In the 2^nd set of experiment, rats were divided into nine groups, of which three treatment groups administered n-hexane, chloroform and methanol fractions of ethanol extract of U. fasciata respectively while other three treatment groups received the same fractions individually with AAP. On the 11^th day, rats were decapitated after 12 h of fasting from both sets, blood samples were collected for assessment of biochemical parameters and kidney tissues were used for determination of oxidants and antioxidants. Histopathological assessment was also done in kidney tissues. A single dose of AAP (600 mg/kg) affected kidney markers including creatinine, urea and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and hepatic enzymes. Ethanolic extract of U. fasciata normalized kidney and liver markers in AAP intoxicated rats. AAP also reduced glutathione (GSH) in kidney tissues and altered kidney architecture, which were improved by ethanolic extract and chloroform soluble fraction of U. fasciata. A total of 14 polyunsaturated fatty acids were identified from chloroform soluble fraction of U. fasciata by GC-MS and assumed these may be involved in protective activities of U. fasciata.

Keywords:

• Ulva fasciata
• nephrotoxicity
• hepatotoxicity
• acetaminophen
• GC-MS analysis

Acknowledgements

Help of Dr. Aisha Begum, Associate Professor, Department of Botany, for seaweed identification and Prof. Dr. Viqar Uddin Ahmad (now late), HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan for GC-MS analysis is acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Financial assistance provided by the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan [Grant # NRPU-4505] is sincerely acknowledged.