“Protective role of liv.52 on the toxicity of acetaminophen during embryogenesis in wistar rats

Acetaminophen induced hepatic injury may also mediate its developmental toxic effects. The present study was carried out to evaluate the protective role of herbal hepato-protective formulation (Liv.52) against acetaminophen induced developmental toxicity (embryo-fetal toxicity and teratogenic potential) in Wistar rats. Acetaminophen induced toxicity during embryogenesis was evaluated by administering daily doses of 500 or 1000 mg/kg/day through oral gavage starting from gestation Day 0 pregnancy until Day 19 of gestation. Dose-dependent decrease in maternal body weights and food intake, gravid uterine weight and total and male/female fetal weights as well as fetal length during gestation were observed in dams exposed to 500 and 1000 mg/kg/dayof acetaminophen. At 1000 mg/kg/day of acetaminophen, dose-dependent decrease in red blood cells, haematocrit, red blood cell distribution width, total number of fetuses and mean litter size were observed. The administration of Liv.52 formulation did not induce any toxic effects during embryogenesis in Wistar rats. However, co-administration of Liv.52 (1000 mg/kg/day) with acetaminophen induced partial or complete reversal of acetaminophen induced developmental toxic effects. In summary, Liv.52 an herbal hepato-protective formulation shown a significant protection against acetaminophen induced developmental toxicity in Wistar rats.