Protective effect of kombucha tea against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice: a biochemical and histopathological study

Acetaminophen overdose causes severe hepatotoxicity leading to liver failure in experimental animals and humans. This study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of kombucha tea (KT) against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. Forty male Balb/c mice were divided into four equal groups: (1) the control group, (2) KT-treated group, (3) acetaminophen-treated group, and (4) KT/acetaminophen-treated group. All mice in group 4 were given KT orally for 7 days before a single hepatotoxic dose of acetaminophen (1,000 mg/kg orally). Activities of liver marker enzymes in serum; aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP); and total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and direct and total bilirubin levels were determined. Acetaminophen challenge caused significant increases in the levels of bilirubin and liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH), while TP and ALB levels were reduced significantly. Histopathologic assessments showed that severe glycogen storage in hepatocytes, hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration in portal area, dilation of central veins, and capillarization also reduced in KT/acetaminophen group compared to acetaminophen-treated mice. In conclusion, these findings suggest that KT has protective effect on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.