Geraniol attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced liver fatty acid alterations in male rats

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is an oxidant agent and this molecule naturally occurs in the body as a product of aerobic metabolism. Geraniol is a plant-derived natural antioxidant. The aim of this study was to determine the role of geraniol on hepatic fatty acids alterations following H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in male rats.

After randomization, male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 7 each group). Geraniol (50 mg/kg, dissolved in corn oil) and H₂O₂ (16 mg/kg, dissolved in distilled water) were administered by an intraperitoneal injection. Administrations were performed during 30 days with 1-day interval.

Administration of H₂O₂ resulted with a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and a significant decrease in glutathione (GSH) peroxidase glutathione level; geraniol restored its effects on liver. However, hepatic catalase (CAT) activities were significantly higher in H₂O₂, geraniol, and geraniol+H₂O₂ groups than control group. The ratio of hepatic total saturated fatty acids increased in H₂O₂-treated animals compared with control. In addition, hepatic total unsaturated fatty acids reduced in H₂O₂ group compared with control. The percentages of both hepatic total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were not different between geraniol+H₂O₂ and control groups.

H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress may affect fatty acid composition in liver and body. Geraniol can partly restore oxidative hepatic damage because it cannot completely reverse the H₂O₂-induced increase in hepatic CAT activities. Moreover, this natural compound can regulate hepatic total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids percentages against H₂O₂-induced alterations.