Sulforaphane Protects Against Sodium Valproate-induced Acute Liver Injury

Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is one of the most commonly encountered obstacles in the field of medical practice. Sodium valproate (VPA) is among many drugs with reported hepatotoxic effects. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a thiol compound found in wide abundance in cruciferous plants that has numerous reported therapeutic efficacies. The current investigation sheds light on the potential hepatoprotective effect of SFN against VPA-induced liver injury in rats. Twice daily VPA (700 mg/kg, i.p.) for 7 days induced significant biochemical alterations and hepatic histopathological damage. SFN (0.5 mg/kg, orally) for 7 days significantly boosted liver function biomarkers; it reduced serum alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase, and restored serum albumin concentration in a significant manner. Meanwhile, SFN significantly mitigated VPA-induced histopathological alterations. To highlight the mechanisms implicated in the observed hepatoprotective action, hepatic malondialdehyde and tumour necrosis factor α content significantly declined with concomitant increase in hepatic heme oxygenase-1 content and glutathione concentration with SFN treatment. In conclusion, SFN can significantly ameliorate VPA-induced hepatotoxicity and liver injury primarily by direct association between antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.