Effect of Viola Extract on Acetaminophen-induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

Introduction: Acetaminophen is a common analgesic that is toxic to the liver in the case of high dose and antioxidants such as herbs can partially inhibit the harmful effects of high dose of such substances. Materials and Methods: In this study, 42 mice weighing 25-30 g were randomly divided into six groups (n=7). The first group as the control group received 1 ml/kg (0.5 ml/kg 12 hours apart) of 0.9% normal saline orally for 7 days. The second group received 500 mg/kg of acetaminophen on day 6 intraperitoneally. The positive control group (received 250 mg/kg of viola extract), and treatment groups 4, 5 and 6 (received 500 mg/kg of acetaminophen plus different doses of viola extract including 50,100, and 200, respectively) were given viola extract orally twice a day for seven days at intervals of 12 hours. Groups 4, 5 and 6 received acetaminophen on the sixth day intraperitoneally. At the end of the study period (day 8), blood samples were taken to measure Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Albumin (Alb), and total bilirubin; and rat liver tissue samples were tested after fixation in 10% formalin buffer. For data analysis, one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test were used at the significant level of P <0.05. Results: Viola extract significantly reduced the parameters of AST, ALT, ALP, and T. bilirubin and significantly increased Alb of the experimental groups compared to acetaminophen group. Conclusion: According to the study results, viola played a protective role in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.