Hepatoprotective role of kaempferol during alcohol- and ΔPUFA-induced oxidative stress

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to analyze the effect of kaempferol on oxidative stress induced by alcohol and thermally oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acid (ΔPUFA) in male albino Wistar rats. METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups. The animals in group 1 served as the normal group (standard diet), group 2 served as the hepatotoxic group (alcohol+ΔPUFA), group 3 served as the treated group (alcohol+ΔPUFA+kaempferol), and group 4 served as kaempferol control. The levels of marker enzyme γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lipid peroxidation markers [thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid hydroperoxides (LH)], enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase), and nonenzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, vitamin E, and vitamin C) were analyzed in liver to evaluate the effects of kaempferol. RESULTS: The levels of GGT, TBARS, and LH were significantly increased in liver of the alcohol+ΔPUFA group and were found to be reduced on treatment with kaempferol. The levels of both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants were decreased in liver of the alcohol+ΔPUFA group and were found to be restored on treatment with kaempferol. CONCLUSIONS: From the results obtained, we conclude that kaempferol protects the liver against alcohol- and ΔPUFA- induced oxidative stress.