Effect of Lecithin and silymarin on D-galactosamine induced toxicity in isolated hepatocytes and rats

To investigate Lecithin for its hepatoprotective activity against D-galactosamine (D-GalN) induced toxicity in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes and animal models. Freshly isolated rat hepatocytes were exposed to Dgalactosamine (30 mM) along with/without lecithin (100 μg/ml) and the levels of selected liver enzymes were measured. Thirty six Wistar strain albino rats were used for the in vivo investigations. Lecithin 50 and 100 mg/kg.b.wt were administered for one week by oral route. Liver damage was induced by intra peritoneal administration of 400 mg/kg b.wt D-galactosamine. The antihepatotoxic effect of lecithin was observed in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes at concentration 100 μg/ml and was found to be similar to that of the standard silymarin used. Its in vivo hepatoprotective effect at 100 mg/kg b.wt was comparable with that of the standard silymarin at 100 mg/kg body weight. Lecithin was able to normalise the biochemical levels which were altered due to D-galactosamine intoxication in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes and also in animal models. © 2010 Association of Clinical Biochemists of India.