Dose-response effect of ellagic acid on circulatory antioxidants and lipids during alcohol-induced toxicity in experimental rats

Ellagic acid (EA) is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound that exhibits antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidaemic and anticarcinogenic activities in a wide range of assays both in vitro and in vivo. It occurs in various foods such as strawberries, grapes, walnuts, etc. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of ellagic acid on alcohol-induced changes in the circulatory antioxidative status, micronutrients and lipid levels in a dose-dependent fashion. Female albino Wistar rats weighing 150-170 g were used to assess the effects of EA against alcohol-induced damage. Three different concentrations of EA (30, 60 and 90 mg/kg body weight) were tested against 20% alcohol via intragastric administration. At the end of the experimental duration of 45 days, we evaluated endogenous antioxidants: both enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic (vitamin C and E, and reduced glutathione) status, micronutrients, viz. copper and zinc, and lipids: cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids in the circulation. The body weight gain of both alcohol-fed rats and EA-treated rats were also inferred. EA significantly inhibits alcohol-induced toxicity by improving body weight, restoring antioxidant status, modulating micronutrients and attenuating the lipid levels in the circulation. The greatest inhibitory effect was observed with 60 mg/kg body weight of EA in all the biochemical assessments. The results support the hypothesis that EA at the concentration of 60 mg/kg body weight decreases the intensity of alcohol-induced toxicity and could be developed as a potential drug for alcohol abuse in the near future.