Mitigating Cannabis sativa-induced liver toxicity in male Wistar rats: protective role of vitamin C.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effects of Cannabis sativa (CS) on hepatotoxicity as well as the protective effects of Vit C against cannabis-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. METHODS: Different doses (2, 4, and 6 mg) of CS and Vit C (4 mg) were administered orally, both individually and in combination, for a period of three weeks. All animals had unrestricted access to feed and water and were sacrificed at the end of the treatment period. Liver function biomarkers were evaluated using standard analytical methods. RESULTS: Administration of CS at doses of 2, 4, and 6 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) increased the levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin, and creatinine, while significantly (p<0.05) decreasing albumin and induced protein (IP), compared to the control group. The effects were more pronounced at the 6 mg/kg dose relative to the lower doses. However, co-administration with Vit C significantly attenuated these alterations at the lower doses (2 and 4 mg/kg) of CS. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that CS induces alterations in liver function biomarkers indicative of hepatotoxicity, while Vit C exhibits a protective effect at lower exposure levels. Further studies are warranted to determine whether higher doses of Vit C can effectively mitigate liver damage associated with higher doses of CS.