Preventive and therapeutic effects of cepharanthine on acetaminophen-induced acute liver and kidney injury in male laboratory mice.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of cepharanthine on APAP (N-acetyl-para-aminophenol )-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 five 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.

CONCLUSION

Cepharanthine exhibited partial hepatoprotective effects against APAP-induced liver injury but did not improve kidney damage. So, this natural alkaloid does not confer a significant protective effect against acute kidney injury.