Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Extracts Elicit Anti-Hepatotoxic Effects on Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury in Albino Wistar Rat

Introduction: It has been extensively reported that drug-overdose is the leading cause of liver injury in the world today. Diets rich in natural antioxidants have been observed to offer substantial remedy to drug-induced organ injuries. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of tomato extract against Acetaminophen-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods: Phytochemical analyses were performed. A total of 24 albino rats weighing (110±10 g) were randomly allocated to four groups (A-D), with six rats per group. Group A was the normal control and received no treatment. Group B was the negative control and received a single dose of acetaminophen (750 mg/kg, i.p) only. Group C served as test group and received a single dose of acetaminophen (750 mg/kg, i.p.) before treatment with tomato extract (30 mg/kg, oral) for 14 consecutive days. Group D received simultaneous administration of tomato extract (30 mg/kg, oral) and acetaminophen (750 mg/kg, i.p) for 14days. Results: The single dose of Acetaminophen caused liver cell injuries with significant increase in the levels of the liver enzymes: AST (67.67±11.41U/L); ALT (46.33±10.59U/L) and ALP (223.70±23.31U/L) in rats in negative control when compared with normal (p<0.05 or p<0.01). The daily administration of the tomato extract was able to attenuate the acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity on the liver enzyme marker levels: In Group C: AST (23.00± 3.61U/L, P<0.01); ALT (17.67± 3.48U/L, P<0.05) and ALP (121.30±8.11U/L, P<0.01). In Group D, AST (26.67±2.91U/L, P<0.01); ALT (18.67±1.76 U/L, P<0.05) and ALP (124.72±9.33U/L, P<0.01) when compared with negative control group. The histological results also revealed no significant liver injury in the groups that received tomato extract when compared with the normal control. Conclusion: Tomato extract possesses hepatoprotective ability against acetaminophen-induced liver injury.