Effect of Averrhoa carambola L. (Carambola) fruit juice againstethanol-induced liver injury in mice

Jossue Humberto Paredes Contreras; Francisco Marquina Sánchez; Olenka Puelles Samaniego; Ivan Alexander  Bernabe Valderrama; Freddy Alonso Gustavo  Rodríguez Távara; Andrea Quiroz Arcila; Stephany Goicochea Flores; Óscar Gustavo Huamán Gutiérrez

doi:10.12873/461jhparedes

Effect of Averrhoa carambola L. (Carambola) fruit juice againstethanol-induced liver injury in mice

Authors

Jossue Humberto Paredes Contreras Instituto de investigación de Bioquímica y Nutrición – Facultad de Medicina – Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Lima, Perú.
Francisco Marquina Sánchez Instituto de investigación de Bioquímica y Nutrición – Facultad de Medicina – Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Lima, Perú.
Olenka Isabel Puelles Samaniego Escuela Profesional de Nutrición – Facultad de Medicina – Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0627-4822
Ivan Alexander Bernabe Valderrama Escuela de Medicina– Facultad de Medicina – Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1141-2226
Freddy Alonso Gustavo Rodríguez Távara Escuela de Medicina– Facultad de Medicina – Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia.
Andrea Quiroz Arcila Escuela de Medicina– Facultad de Medicina – Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia.
Stephany Goicochea Flores Escuela de Medicina– Facultad de Medicina – Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia.
Óscar Gustavo Huamán Gutiérrez Instituto de investigación de Bioquímica y Nutrición – Facultad de Medicina – Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Lima, Perú.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12873/461jhparedes

Keywords:

Averrhoa carambola L, hepatoprotection, oxidative stress, ethanol, clinical nutrition, polyphenols

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with oxidative stress as the central pathogenic mechanism. The search for nutritional agents capable of modulating this response has focused on fruits such as carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.), which is rich in polyphenolic compounds with recognized antioxidant activity. Objectives: To determine the effect of carambola fruit juice (Averrhoa carambola L.) on ethanol-induced liver damage in mice. Materials and Methods: 35 albino mice were divided into five groups (n=7). The treatment groups received either A. carambola juice (5 and 15 mL/kg) or silymarin (100 mg/kg) for 5 days. All groups, except the negative control, received 5% ethanol ad libitum. The liver index, lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD and CAT), and the GSH/GSSG ratio were evaluated, complemented by histopathological analysis. Results: The ethanol control group showed a significant induction of LPO, hepatomegaly, and microvesicular steatosis. In contrast, carambola juice, especially at 15 mL/kg, significantly reduced LPO (p<0.01) and increased SOD and CAT activity. A substantial improvement in the GSH/GSSG ratio and an attenuation of cellular degeneration and steatosis were observed in the histological analysis, with an effect comparable to that of silymarin. Conclusions: Carambola fruit juice, from Averrhoa carambola L., exhibits a hepatoprotective effect against ethanol-induced liver damage in mice.

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Published

2026-02-02

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Vol. 46 No. 1 (2026): Nutr Clín Diet Hosp. preliminar/preliminary

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Research articles

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[1]

2026. Effect of Averrhoa carambola L. (Carambola) fruit juice againstethanol-induced liver injury in mice. Nutrición Clínica y Dietética Hospitalaria. 46, 1 (Feb. 2026). DOI:https://doi.org/10.12873/461jhparedes.