This study investigates the protective effect of
betanin against liver injury induced by
carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). The fish were treated with 1, 2, and 4 %
betanin in fodder throughout the experiment. After 20 days of treatment, the fish were intraperitoneally injected with 20 % (v/v in
peanut oil) CCl4 at a volume of 0.5 mL/kg
body weight. The fish were killed 3 days after CCl4 intoxication, and then, histological and biochemical assays were performed. Results showed that CCl4-induced liver
CYP2E1 activity, oxidative stress, and injury, as indicated by the depleted
glycogen storage, increased serum
aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/
alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities and liver histological damage. Compared with the CCl4 control group, the
betanin-treated groups exhibited reduced
CYP2E1 activity, decreased
malondialdehyde level, increased liver antioxidative capacity (increased
glutathione level and
superoxide dismutase and
catalase activities), increased
liver glycogen storage, and reduced serum AST/ALT activities, with significant differences in the 2 and 4 % groups (p < 0.05). Histological assay further confirmed the protective effect of
betanin. In conclusion,
betanin attenuates CCl4-induced liver damage in common carp. Moreover, the inhibition of
CYP2E1 activity and oxidative stress may have significant roles in the protective effect of
betanin.