The potency of red seaweed (Eucheuma cottonii) extracts as hepatoprotector on lead acetate-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

In summary, Oxidative stress reported to play an important role in lead acetate induced liver injury. The lead acetate treatment significantly increased the SGOT, SGPT, ALP, MDA, and decreased the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GPx) in liver. The inhibition of antioxidant enzymes will increase free radicals in liver tissues and might induce liver injury in mice. The presence of ethanol extract of <i>Eucheuma cottonii</i> with lead acetate showed protective effects as attenuating lead acetate against its liver toxicity, and this may be due to the activity of ethanol extract of <i>Eucheuma cottonii</i> as antioxidant. The antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GPx) were increased, and MDA, SGOT, SGPT, ALP were decreased after ethanol extract of <i>Eucheuma cottonii</i> administration. The enzymatic activities (SOD and GPx) and MDA in mice can be used as biomarkers of heavy metal toxicity such as lead acetate. Histopathological view of liver sections in the lead acetate treated group showed the liver damage, as compared to the negative control group. However, administration of ethanol extract of <i>Eucheuma cottonii</i> significantly improved the histopathological in liver of lead acetate-treated mice. From the results of this study we concluded that the ethanol extract of <i>Eucheuma cottonii</i> could be a potent natural product provide a promising protective effect against lead acetate induced liver toxicity in mice. <b>Abbreviations Used</b>: SGOT: Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase, SGPT: Serum Glutamic Pyruvate Transaminase, ALP: Alkaline Phosphatase, MDA: Malondialdehyde, SOD: Superoxide Dismutase, GPx: Glutathione Peroxidase.