Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Cepharanthine on Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver and Kidney Injury in Male Laboratory Mice Effects of Cepharanthine on Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Tissue Injury
Gastroenterology and Hepatology from Bed to Bench,
Vol. 18 No. 3 (2025),
26 August 2025
https://doi.org/10.22037/ghfbb.v18i3.3132
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Cepharanthine on APAP-induced liver and kidney injury in an experimental model.
Background: Acetaminophen (APAP) is widely used as an analgesic and antipyretic drug; however, its overdose can cause acute liver and kidney injury. Cepharanthine, a natural alkaloid with antioxidant properties, has been proposed as a potential protective agent.
Methods: In this experimental study 40 Male NMRI mice were divided into 5 groups: Control, Sham, APAP-treated, APAP + preventive Cepharanthine, and APAP + therapeutic Cepharanthine groups. Liver and kidney function markers, including ALT, AST, BUN, creatinine, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured. Histopathological analysis was performed to assess tissue damage. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA with a significance threshold of p < 0.05.
Results: APAP administration significantly increased ALT, AST (p < 0.001), and MDA (p < 0.01) while reducing TAC levels (p < 0.01) in liver and kidney tissues. Cepharanthine, particularly in the therapeutic group, reduced ALT levels (p < 0.05) and improved liver histology but did not significantly alter AST or TAC in the prevention group. In contrast, Cepharanthine failed to improve kidney function markers and worsened histological damage, leading to increased tubular casts and hemorrhagic areas.
Conclusions: Cepharanthine exhibited partial hepatoprotective effects against APAP-induced liver injury but did not improve kidney damage. Its therapeutic potential appears to be dose- and time-dependent. Further studies with chronic models are required to determine its efficacy in long-term oxidative stress conditions.
- Acetaminophen
- Cepharanthine
- liver
- kidney
- Injury
How to Cite
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