CHANGES IN PLASMA VALUE OF IL-2, TNF- α AND IL-10 IN RABBITS OVERDOSED WITH ACETAMINOPHEN EXTRA AND SUPPLEMENTED WITH GUAVA (Psidium guajava) FRUIT JUICE

Study Background: Guava (Psidium guajava) fruit juice contains health promoting bioactive phytonutrients and phytochemicals applied in the traditional treatment of diseases in southwestern Nigeria. It is an edible fruit taken by almost everyone as beverage. Acetaminophen extra contains 500mg of Acetaminophen and 65mg Caffeine and as such the drug is commonly used to relieve pain. The drug is readily accessible by individuals making it susceptible to drug abuse especially overdose.

Aim and Objective: This work was therefore designed to determine changes in plasma value of IL-2, TNF- α and IL-10 in rabbits overdosed with acetaminophen extra and supplemented with Guava (Psidium guajava) fruit juice using the plasma levels of ALT and AST as an indicator of liver damage and inflammation.

Materials and Methods: Fifteen (15) male rabbits were grouped into A (Control Rabbit), B (Rabbits given 2,500 mg/kgBW of acetaminophen extra for seven days (B1) then supplemented with 20 ml/kgBW of Guava (Psidium guajava) fruit juice for another seven days (B2)), and C (Rabbits given 20 ml/kgBW of Guava (Psidium guajava) fruit juice for 7 days (C1) then 2,500 mg/kgBW of acetaminophen extra for another seven days (C2)). Plasma concentration of Aspatate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Tissue Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFα), Interluekin-10 (IL-10), and Interluekin-2 (IL-2) were measured in the control and the experimental rabbits by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Results: The result obtained showed a significant increase in the plasma value of TNF-α, IL-10, AST, ALT in rabbits given 2,500 mg/kgBW of acetaminophen for seven days (B1) compared with the value of the parameters obtained from the control rabbits (A) (p<0.05). There was a significant decrease in the plasma value of TNF-α, IL-10, AST, ALT in rabbits given 20ml/kgBW of Guava (Psidium guajava) fruit juice for seven days after (B2) compare with when the rabbit were given 2,500 mg/kgBW of acetaminophen for seven days (B1) (p<0.05). There was also a significant increase in the plasma value of IL-10 in rabbit given 2,500 mg/kgBW of acetaminophen for seven days (C2) after the rabbits have been pre-supplemented with 20 ml/kgBW of Guava (Psidium guajava) fruit juice for seven days (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Guava fruit juice has been demonstrated to reduce acetaminophen extra toxicity and inflammation of the liver (Hepatitis) as reflected by the significant alterations in the plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-10, AST and ALT. The supplement could therefore be used to reduce acetaminophen extra induced hepatotoxicity.