Attenuation of Rutin on Butachlor-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Abstract

Butachlor, a chloroacetanilide herbicide, is used globally as pre-emergence control of unwanted weeds and concerns about its potential adverse effects and toxicity have risen. Rutin is a natural flavonoid with hepatoprotective potentials. The current study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Rutin on Butachlor-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Twenty-four male wistar rats weighing between 260 g – 280g were randomized into four (4) groups of six animals each. Group A (control) received only distilled water, group B (Butachlor) received 100 mg/kg body weight (B.W.) Butachlor, and group C (Butachlor + Rutin) received 100 mg/kg B.W. Butachlor and 100 mg/kg Rutin while group D (Rutin) received 100 mg/kg B.W. Rutin. Administration lasted for 14 days and the rats were sacrificed, the liver excised and further processed for biochemical analysis. Administration of Butachlor resulted in hepatotoxicity that was characterized by a significant increase in plasma ALT, AST and ALP levels relative to the control group (p<0.05). Also, a significant increase (p<0.05) in the level of MDA and NO of Butachlor-treated rats were observed when compared with the control group. Furthermore, altered antioxidant status was observed as activities of enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and GST) and concentration of non-enzymatic antioxidants (GSH and AA) were down-regulated. However, co-administration of Rutin with Butachlor significantly attenuated all the alterations in the markers of liver injury and oxidative stress relative to the Butachlor-treated group. Data obtained from this study showed that Rutin offered a protective effect against Butachlor-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.