Effects of Fermented Soybeans in Reducing Paracetamol-Induced Liver Toxicity in Rats: A Dual Strain Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63147/krjs.v5i2.270Keywords:
Paracetamol, liver toxicity, fermented soybeans, Lactobacillus plantarum, liver enzymesAbstract
The impact of fermented soybeans was assessed in rats’ livers intoxicated with paracetamol. Food-derived protein and peptide hydrolysates can provide benefits that extend beyond their basic nutritional value, offering functional properties that may enhance health and well-being. The current research investigates the potential of Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium longum fermented soybeans against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in rats. Liver toxicity is caused by an overdose of paracetamol for seven days, followed by a 28-day intervention. The results revealed that both fermented soybean types by probiotic fermentation cause a significant reduction in the liver toxicity group. The most significant results were shown in the LFSM group. The values of liver enzymes AST, ALT, ALP, and bilirubin in the liver toxicity group were increased to 276.47±11.41 IU/L, 128.92±3.94 IU/L, 453.03±6.61 IU/L, and 3.04±0.15 mg/dl, respectively. Levels of AST, ALT, ALP and bilirubin were reduced to 214.92±15.95 IU/L, 89.34±5.93 IU/L, 380.99±23.10 IU/L, 2.04±0.06 mg/dl, respectively, in the group supplemented with LFSM. The hematological parameters also improved in supplementation groups. The antioxidant capacity showed reduced value in the liver toxicity group, while the value improved after treatment. This research indicates that soybeans fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum provide better protection against liver damage caused by drugs.
References
Abbasi, B., Ghiasvand, R., and Mirlohi, M. (2017). Kidney function improvement by soy milk containing Lactobacillus plantarum A7 in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Iranian journal of kidney diseases, 11(1), 36.
Adawi, D., Ahrné, S., and Molin, G. (2001). Effects of different probiotic strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium on bacterial translocation and liver injury in an acute liver injury model. International journal of food microbiology, 70(3), 213-220. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1605(01)00550-5
Aliouche, N., Sifour, M., Kebsa, W., and Ouled-Haddar, H. (2025). Exploring the hepatoprotective potential of the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum E1K2R2 and its exopolysaccharide-postbiotic on ibuprofen-induced acute liver injury in rats. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 398(3), 3079-3091. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-026-05460-0
Chen, J.F., Hsia, K.C., Kuo, Y.W., Chen, S.H., Huang, Y.Y., Li, C.M., and Ho, H.H. (2023). Safety Assessment and Probiotic Potential Comparison of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis BLI-02, Lactobacillus plantarum LPL28, Lactobacillus acidophilus TYCA06, and Lactobacillus paracasei ET-66. Nutrients, 16(1), 126. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010126
Chinnappan, R., Mir, T.A., Alsalameh, S., Makhzoum, T., Alzhrani, A., Al-Kattan, K., and Yaqinuddin, A. (2023). Low-cost point-of-care monitoring of ALT and AST is promising for faster decision making and diagnosis of acute liver injury. Diagnostics, 13(18), 2967. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13182967
Di Cagno, R., Mazzacane, F., Rizzello, C. G., Vincentini, O., Silano, M., Giuliani, G., ... & Gobbetti, M. (2010). Synthesis of isoflavone aglycones and equol in soy milks fermented by food-related lactic acid bacteria and their effect on human intestinal Caco-2 cells. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58(19), 10338-10346.
de São José, V.P.B., Grancieri, M., Toledo, R.C.L., de Mejia, E.G., da Silva, B.P., and Martino, H.S.D. (2024). A bioactive compound digested chia protein is capable of modulating NFκB mediated hepatic inflammation in mice fed a high-fat diet. Food Research International, 175, 113740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113740
Elhalis, H., Chin, X.H., and Chow, Y. (2024). Soybean fermentation: Microbial ecology and starter culture technology. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 64(21), 7648-7670. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2023.2188951
Eltahir, H.M. (2024). Date Seed Oil Possesses a Protective Effect Against Paracetamol-induced Hepatotoxicity. Zagazig Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 33(1), 29-37. https://doi.org/10.21608/zjps.2024.277776.1061
Farid, M.S., Anjum, R., Yang, Y., Tu, M., Zhang, T., Pan, D., and Wu, Z. (2024). Recent Trends in Fermented Plant-Based Analogues and Products, Bioactive Peptides, and Novel Technologies-Assisted Fermentation. Trends in Food Science and Technology, 104529. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2024.104529
Gad, A. I., Orabi, M. M., Abou-Taleb, K. A., Abdelghani, D.Y., and Amin, S. A. (2024). In vitro digestive system simulation and anticancer activity of soymilk fermented by probiotics and synbiotics immobilised on agro-industrial residues. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 18518. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-68086-3
Gan, Y., Tong, J., Zhou, X., Long, X., Pan, Y., Liu, W., and Zhao, X. (2021). Hepatoprotective effect of Lactobacillus plantarum HFY09 on ethanol-induced liver injury in mice. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 684588. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.684588
Gungor, H., Ekici, M., and Ates, M.B. (2023). Lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects of isorhamnetin on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 46(3), 566-574.
Hernandez, D.F., Mojica, L., and de Mejia, E.G. (2024). Legume-derived bioactive peptides: Role in cardiovascular disease prevention and control. Current Opinion in Food Science, 101132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cofs.2024.101132
Hossen, M.S., Akter, A., Azmal, M., Rayhan, M., Islam, K. S., Islam, M. M., and Abdullah-Al-Shoeb, M. (2024). Unveiling the molecular basis of paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity: Interaction of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine with mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports, 38, 101727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrep.2024.101727
Hu, Y.Y., Xiao, S., Zhou, G.C., Chen, X., Wang, B., and Wang, J.H. (2024). Bioactive peptides in dry-cured ham: A comprehensive review of preparation methods, metabolic stability, safety, health benefits, and regulatory frameworks. Food Research International, 114367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114367
Jang, S.E., Jeong, J.J., Kim, J.K., Han, M.J., and Kim, D.H. (2018). Simultaneous amelioratation of colitis and liver injury in mice by Bifidobacterium longum LC67 and Lactobacillus plantarum LC27. Scientific reports, 8(1), 7500. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-25775-0
Kamaly, K.M. (1997). Bifidobacteria fermentation of soybean milk. Food Research International, 30(9), 675-682. https://doi.org/10.1271/bbb.62.1688
Kanmani, P., and Kim, H. (2022). Probiotics counteract the expression of hepatic profibrotic genes via the attenuation of TGF-β/SMAD signaling and autophagy in hepatic stellate cells. PLoS One, 17(1), e0262767.
Kim, W.G., Kim, H.I., Kwon, E.K., Han, M.J., & Kim, D.H. (2018). Lactobacillus plantarum LC27 and Bifidobacterium longum LC67 mitigate alcoholic steatosis in mice by inhibiting LPS-mediated NF-κB activation through restoration of the disturbed gut microbiota. Food and function, 9(8), 4255-4265. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8FO00252E
Lin, J.H., Lin, C.H., Kuo, Y.W., Liao, C.A., Chen, J.F., Tsai, S.Y., and Ho, H.H. (2024). Probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum TSF331, Lactobacillus reuteri TSR332, and Lactobacillus plantarum TSP05 improved liver function and uric acid management-A pilot study. Plos one, 19(7), e0307181. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307181
Liu, W., Yu, S., Han, Y., Chen, L., An, J., Li, H., and Liu, X. (2024). Systematic sequence characterization of enzymatic-derived soybean peptides for precision enhancement of anti-inflammatory properties. Food Bioscience, 60, 104292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2024.104292
Luasiri, P., Sangsawad, P., Pongsetkul, J., Paengkoum, P., Nakharuthai, C., Suwanangul, S., and Sorapukdee, S. (2024). Exploration of nutritional and bioactive peptide properties in goat meat from various primal cuts during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and absorption. Animal Bioscience, 37(6), 1096. https://doi.org/10.5713/ab.23.0352
Mora, L., and Toldra, F. (2024). Bioactive peptides released from meat and meat products during gastrointestinal digestion. In Protein Digestion-Derived Peptides (pp. 199-217). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-19141-1.00008-X
Niamah, A.K., Sahi, A.A., and Al-Sharifi, A.S. (2017). Effect of feeding soy milk fermented by probiotic bacteria on some blood criteria and weight of experimental animals. Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins, 9(3), 284-291. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-017-9265-y
Neag, M.A., Catinean, A., Muntean, D.M., Pop, M.R., Bocsan, C.I., Botan, E.C., and Buzoianu, A.D. (2020). Probiotic Bacillus spores protect against acetaminophen induced acute liver injury in rats. Nutrients, 12(3), 632.
Okpara, I.J., Amamasi, O., Nosiri, C.I., and Okonkwo, K. (2024). Ameliorative Effect of Justicia Secunda on Liver Function Studies on N-Acetyl-P-Benzoquinone Imine Induced Hepatotoxic Rats. Current Developments in Nutrition, 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102825
Palócz, O., Pászti-Gere, E., Gálfi, P., and Farkas, O. (2016). Chlorogenic acid combined with Lactobacillus plantarum 2142 reduced LPS-induced intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress in IPEC-J2 cells. PloS one, 11(11), e0166642. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0166642
Patra, A., Mandal, S., Samanta, A., Mondal, K.C., and Nandi, D.K. (2018). Therapeutic potential of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum AD3 on acetaminophen induced uremia in experimental rats. Clinical Nutrition Experimental, 19, 12-22.
Prescott, L.F. (2024). Paracetamol (acetaminophen) poisoning: the early years. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 90(1), 127-134. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.15903
Riane, K., Sifour, M., Ouled-Haddar, H., Espinosa, C., Esteban, M.A., and Lahouel, M. (2020). Effect of probiotic supplementation on oxidative stress markers in rats with diclofenac-induced hepatotoxicity. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 51, 1615-1622.
Raftar, S. K. A., Abdollahiyan, S., Azimirad, M., Yadegar, A., Vaziri, F., Moshiri, A., and Reza Zali, M. (2021). The anti-fibrotic effects of heat-killed Akkermansia muciniphila MucT on liver fibrosis markers and activation of hepatic stellate cells. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 13: 776–787.
Rizzo, G. (2024). Soy-Based Tempeh as a Functional Food: Evidence for Human Health and Future Perspective. Frontiers in Bioscience-Elite, 16(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbe1601003
Saad, M., and Flament, J. (2024). Paracetamol overdose causing acute kidney injury without hepatotoxicity: a case report. International journal of emergency medicine, 17(1), 81. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00662-w
Salman, A.A., El‐Aleem, I. M.A., El‐Rahman, A.A.A., El‐Husseiny, T.S., and El‐Hadary, A.E. (2020). Assessment of antioxidant traits and protective action of Egyptian acacia pods extracts against paracetamol‐induced liver toxicity in rats. Journal of Food Biochemistry, 44(9), e13392.
Sani, H.A., and Haruna, Y. (2024). A review on acetaminophen toxicity: the forward. Advance Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology, 9(8), 47-54. https://aspjournals.org/ajset/index.php/ajset/article/view/93
Saubenova, M., Oleinikova, Y., Rapoport, A., Maksimovich, S., Yermekbay, Z., and Khamedova, E. (2024). Bioactive peptides derived from whey proteins for health and functional beverages. Fermentation, 10(7), 359. https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation10070359
Taya, S., Dissook, S., Ruangsuriya, J., Yodkeeree, S., Boonyapranai, K., Chewonarin, T., and Wongpoomchai, R. (2024). Thai Fermented Soybean (Thua-Nao) Prevents Early Stages of Colorectal Carcinogenesis Induced by Diethylnitrosamine and 1, 2-Dimethylhydrazine Through Modulations of Cell Proliferation and Gut Microbiota in Rats. Nutrients, 16(20), 3506.
Wang, Y., Fang, Z., Zhai, Q., Cui, S., Zhao, J., Zhang, H., and Lu, W. (2021). Supernatants of Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus plantarum strains exhibited antioxidative effects on A7R5 cells. Microorganisms, 9(2), 452. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9020452
Wong, C. B., Huang, H., Ning, Y., and Xiao, J. (2024). Probiotics in the New Era of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs): HMO Utilization and Beneficial Effects of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 on Infant Health. Microorganisms, 12(5), 1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12051014
Yang, C., Wang, S., Li, Q., Zhang, R., Xu, Y., and Feng, J. (2024). Effects of Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HJLP-1 on Growth Performance, Selected Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Function Indices in the Serum, and Cecal Microbiota in Broiler Chicken. Animals, 14(5), 668. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050668
Yasmin, R., Saharia, P.K., Hussain, I.A., Talukdar, A., Baishya, S., Bhagawati, K., and Singh, A. Probiotic Strain Lactobacillus plantarum GCLP4 Derived From the Gut of Ctenopharyngodon idella Modulates Growth, Digestive Enzymes and Immune‐Biochemical Parameters of Labeo rohita Fingerlings. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14054
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Musfira Akram, Nwal Afzal, Muhammad Tauseef Sultan, Zainab Akram

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0


