Dose-dependent hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extract against acetaminophen-induced oxidative injury in rats

Sinem Ilgın; Büşra Korkut Çelikateş; Başak Özlem Perk; İpek Ertorun; Hale Gamze Ağalar; İ. Özkan Alataş

doi:10.55971/EJLS.1801161

Dose-dependent hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extract against acetaminophen-induced oxidative injury in rats

Abstract

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is a major cause of acute hepatic and renal injury, primarily driven by excessive formation of the reactive metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), glutathione depletion, and oxidative/nitrosative stress. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (OFI) fruit contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals that may protect against xenobiotic-induced organ damage. This study investigated the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of an aqueous OFI fruit extract against APAP-induced toxicity in rats, with emphasis on oxidative stress mechanisms. Adult male rats were pre-treated with OFI extract (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg, orally) for seven days, followed by a single APAP dose (3 g/kg) on day eight. After 24 h, serum biomarkers of hepatic and renal function (ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin, total protein, CREA, BUN, Na⁺, K⁺) and tissue oxidative stress indices (CAT, SOD, NO, and MDA) were evaluated. APAP administration caused substantial elevations in serum ALT, AST, ALP, CREA, and BUN, together with decreased antioxidant enzyme activities and increased lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney tissues. Pre-treatment with OFI at 100 and 200 mg/kg markedly ameliorated these alterations, improving biochemical markers and restoring antioxidant defence. In contrast, the 400 mg/kg dose failed to provide significant protection and exacerbated some parameters, indicating a biphasic, dose-dependent response. These findings demonstrate that low and moderate doses of OFI fruit aqueous extract exert significant hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects against APAP-induced oxidative injury, likely through enhancement of antioxidant defence and attenuation of oxidative and nitrosative stress.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pharmaceutical Toxicology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Sinem Ilgın
0000-0001-7331-1975
Türkiye

Büşra Korkut Çelikateş ^*
0000-0003-0149-3065
Türkiye

Başak Özlem Perk
0000-0003-2036-7451
Türkiye

İpek Ertorun
0000-0001-8328-4157
Türkiye

Hale Gamze Ağalar
0000-0003-4826-5975
Türkiye

İ. Özkan Alataş
0000-0002-1753-8873
Türkiye

Publication Date

May 1, 2026

Submission Date

October 10, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 31, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 5 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.55971/EJLS.1801161

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA29KF72DN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ilgın, S., Korkut Çelikateş, B., Perk, B. Ö., Ertorun, İ., Ağalar, H. G., & Alataş, İ. Ö. (2026). Dose-dependent hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extract against acetaminophen-induced oxidative injury in rats. European Journal of Life Sciences, 5(1), 25-34. https://doi.org/10.55971/EJLS.1801161

AMA

1.Ilgın S, Korkut Çelikateş B, Perk BÖ, Ertorun İ, Ağalar HG, Alataş İÖ. Dose-dependent hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extract against acetaminophen-induced oxidative injury in rats. Eur J Life Sci. 2026;5(1):25-34. doi:10.55971/EJLS.1801161

Chicago

Ilgın, Sinem, Büşra Korkut Çelikateş, Başak Özlem Perk, İpek Ertorun, Hale Gamze Ağalar, and İ. Özkan Alataş. 2026. “Dose-Dependent Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective Effects of Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract Against Acetaminophen-Induced Oxidative Injury in Rats”. European Journal of Life Sciences 5 (1): 25-34. https://doi.org/10.55971/EJLS.1801161.

EndNote

Ilgın S, Korkut Çelikateş B, Perk BÖ, Ertorun İ, Ağalar HG, Alataş İÖ (May 1, 2026) Dose-dependent hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extract against acetaminophen-induced oxidative injury in rats. European Journal of Life Sciences 5 1 25–34.

IEEE

[1]S. Ilgın, B. Korkut Çelikateş, B. Ö. Perk, İ. Ertorun, H. G. Ağalar, and İ. Ö. Alataş, “Dose-dependent hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extract against acetaminophen-induced oxidative injury in rats”, Eur J Life Sci, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 25–34, May 2026, doi: 10.55971/EJLS.1801161.

ISNAD

Ilgın, Sinem - Korkut Çelikateş, Büşra - Perk, Başak Özlem - Ertorun, İpek - Ağalar, Hale Gamze - Alataş, İ. Özkan. “Dose-Dependent Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective Effects of Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract Against Acetaminophen-Induced Oxidative Injury in Rats”. European Journal of Life Sciences 5/1 (May 1, 2026): 25-34. https://doi.org/10.55971/EJLS.1801161.

JAMA

1.Ilgın S, Korkut Çelikateş B, Perk BÖ, Ertorun İ, Ağalar HG, Alataş İÖ. Dose-dependent hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extract against acetaminophen-induced oxidative injury in rats. Eur J Life Sci. 2026;5:25–34.

MLA

Ilgın, Sinem, et al. “Dose-Dependent Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective Effects of Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract Against Acetaminophen-Induced Oxidative Injury in Rats”. European Journal of Life Sciences, vol. 5, no. 1, May 2026, pp. 25-34, doi:10.55971/EJLS.1801161.

Vancouver

1.Sinem Ilgın, Büşra Korkut Çelikateş, Başak Özlem Perk, İpek Ertorun, Hale Gamze Ağalar, İ. Özkan Alataş. Dose-dependent hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extract against acetaminophen-induced oxidative injury in rats. Eur J Life Sci. 2026 May 1;5(1):25-34. doi:10.55971/EJLS.1801161