In vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective action of L-α-phosphatidylcholine in alcohol-induced toxicity model

L-α-phosphatidylcholine, a surfactant and a constituent of the liposomal carrier system, has shown hepatoprotection in the various hepatotoxicity model. The present study was designed to assess its hepatoprotective effect against alcohol-induced toxicity in in vitro in Chang Liver cells and in in vivo in Wistar rats. For in vitro study, 7.25% v/v alcohol produced more than 50% cell death. A dose dependent increase in hepatoprotection was observed after L-α-phosphatidylcholine treatment from 7.82 to 62.5 μg/ml, while the trend was reversed in silymarin treatment. In in vivo study, Wistar rats were orally administered with 15 ml/kg (45% v/v) alcohol twice a day for 30 days. During the treatment from day 31 to day 45 with silymarin and L- α-phosphatidylcholine, alcohol was administered (25% v/v) ad libitum instead of drinking water. On 46th day, blood was withdrawn, liver was isolated after perfusion for antioxidant and histopathological examination. AST and ALT levels were significantly increased in the alcohol treated group, which was significantly reversed after silymarin treatment. A mild reversal in AST and ALT levels was observed by L-α- phosphatidylcholine treatment. Alcohol treatment showed a significant rise in the levels of TBARS and depletion of SOD, total thiols and GSH. Both drugs showed significant reversal in these oxidative stress parameters except in the levels of catalase and total thiols in L-α-phosphatidylcholine treatment. Histopathology of livers showed decrease in fatty accumulation in hepatocyte by the treatment of both drugs compared to alcohol control. The results indicated mild to moderate hepatoprotective effect for L-α- phosphatidylcholine, which were comparable to silymarin.