Protective effect of lycopene on celecoxib induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats: A histological study

Abstract

Celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, is an effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug. However it may cause adverse effects on liver, kidney and GIT. Lycopene is a natural antioxidant that may prevent oxidative injury in liver, kidney and GIT etc. Therefore this study is planned to observe the protective effect of lycopene on celecoxib induced hepatotoxicity. This experimental study was performed on the thirty adult male albino rats which were randomly divided into three groups, Group A served as control, Group B was treated with celecoxib 50 mg/kg and Group C was treated with Celecoxib 50 mg/kg along with lycopene 50 mg/kg for 30 days. At the end of the study, the animals were sacrificed and staining of liver tissue was done with hematoxylin and eosin. The results revealed swollen hepatocytes containing fat vacuoles and shrunken nuclei. Dilated hepatic sinusoids and congested central veins were also observed along with marked increase in the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase in the celecoxib treated group. These damaging effects were prevented and recovered to a greater extent in group receiving celecoxib along with lycopene. The present study has shown that the use of lycopene along with celecoxib protects against celecoxib induced toxicity in liver. Hence it can be recommended that the concomitant intake of lycopene as a supplement with celecoxib can prevent the hepatotoxic and other side effects of it.