Protective role of caffeic acid against alcohol-induced biochemical changes in rats

Caffeic acid is a well-known phenolic compound mainly present in plants. In this study, caffeic acid was evaluated for its protective effect against chronic ethanol-induced biochemical changes in male Wistar rats. Administration of ethanol (7.9 g/kg/day) for 45 days induced liver and kidney damage as manifested by a significant increase in the levels of serum hepatic and renal markers namely aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirubin, urea, creatinine, and a significant decrease in creatinine clearance and levels of hemoglobin. Plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and hydroperoxide were significantly elevated where as the levels of nonenzymic antioxidants [reduced glutathione, vitamin E and vitamin C] were significantly decreased in alcohol-intoxicated rats. Administration of caffeic acid along with alcohol significantly decreased the serum levels of liver and kidney markers to near-normal levels. In addition, administration of caffeic acid significantly decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation markers while the levels of antioxidants were significantly increased in circulation of alcohol-fed rats. All these results were accompanied by histological observations in liver. The results demonstrate that caffeic acid has a beneficial effect in reducing the adverse effect of alcohol.