Methamphetamine intoxication can cause
acute hepatic failure. Chlorogenic and caftaric
acids are the major dietary
polyphenols present in various foods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective role of chlorogenic and caftaric
acids in liver toxicity and oxidative stress induced by
methamphetamine in rats. Thirty-two male albino rats were divided into 4 equal groups. Group 1, which was control group, was injected (i.p) with saline (1 mL/kg) twice a day over seven-day period. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were injected (i.p) with
methamphetamine (10 mg/kg) twice a day over seven-day period, where groups 3 and 4 were injected (i.p) with 60 mg/kg
chlorogenic acid and 40 mg/kg
caftaric acid, respectively, one day before
methamphetamine injections.
Methamphetamine increased serum
aspartate aminotransferase,
alanine aminotransferase,
alkaline phosphatase,
bilirubin,
cholesterol,
low-density lipoprotein, and
triglycerides. Also,
malondialdehyde in serum, liver, and brain and plasma and liver
nitric oxide levels were increased while
methamphetamine induced a significant decrease in serum total
protein,
albumin,
globulin,
albumin/
globulin ratio, brain
serotonin,
norepinephrine and
dopamine, blood and liver
superoxide dismutase, and
glutathione peroxidase levels. Chlorogenic and caftaric
acids prior to
methamphetamine injections restored all the above parameters to normal values. In conclusion, chlorogenic and caftaric
acids before
methamphetamine injections prevented liver toxicity and oxidative stress where
chlorogenic acid was more effective.