Protective effects of Gastrodia elata Blume on acetaminophen-induced liver and kidney toxicity in rats.

An overdose of acetaminophen (AAP) causes hepatic and renal toxicity. This study examined the protective effects of Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB) on hepatic and renal injury induced by AAP. Rats were orally administered distilled water or GEB for 14 days and injected with AAP 1 h after the oral last administration; control rats were administered water without AAP injection. All rats were sacrificed 24 h after AAP injection. The GEB pretreatment group showed decreased necrosis and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the liver and kidney. TUNEL-positive cells and oxidative stress marker, such as malondialdehyde, were decreased. However, antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase, were increased. The expression of CYP2E1 and N -acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase was decreased in the GEB pretreatment group. This study shows that GEB prevents AAP-induced liver and kidney injury.