Black Carrot Juice: A New Approach to Cure Acrylamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Objective: The liver is exposed to many harmful agents, which cause hepatotoxicity due to oxidative stress. Acrylamide is a carcinogenic agent and has toxic effects on the liver. In this study we aimed to examine whether black carrot juice might protect rat liver from toxicities of acrylamide. Method: Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were divided into four equal groups as follows: control, acrylamide, black carrot juice and acrylamide + black carrot juice All the treatments were administered every other day for 30 days. Liver tissues were analysed for routine histopathology and apoptosis whereas serum samples were evaluated for oxidation state. Results: In the acrylamide group, severe histopathological damage, including hepatocyte degeneration, sinusoidal dilatation, and passive hyperemia, along with a significant increase in caspase-3 immunoreactivity was observed. Biochemically the serum total antioxidant status decreased significantly, and the serum total oxidant status increased significantly. The histopathological examination revealed significant amelioration of tissue damage in the acrylamide + black carrot juice group as compared with that in the acrylamide group. Moreover, total oxidant status decreased significantly, whereas the total antioxidant status increased significantly. Caspase-3 immunoreactivity also decreased insignificantly. Conclusion: Black carrot juice appears to exhibit therapeutic effects against acrylamide-induced hepatotoxicity due to its antioxidant properties.