Effect of pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo) protein isolate on the activity levels of certain plasma enzymes in CCl4-induced liver injury in low-protein fed rats

Royal Jelly and Chlorella vulgaris Mitigate Gibberellic Acid-Induced Cytogenotoxicity and Hepatotoxicity in Rats via Modulation of the PPARα/AP-1 Signaling Pathway and Suppression of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Gibberellic acid (GA3) is a well-known plant growth regulator used in several countries, but its widespread use has negative effects on both animal and human health. The current study assesses the protective effect of royal jelly (RJ) and Chlorella vulgaris (CV) on the genotoxicity and hepatic injury induced by GA3 in rats. Daily oral administration of 55 mg/kg GA3 to rats for 6 constitutive weeks induced biochemical and histopathological changes in the liver via oxidative stress and inflammation. Co-administration of 300 mg/kg RJ or 500 mg/kg CV with GA3 considerably ameliorated the serum levels of AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), γGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase), total bilirubin, and albumin. Lowered malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) levels along with elevated SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), and GPx (glutathione peroxidase) enzyme activities indicated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of both RJ and CV. Also, they improved the histological structure and reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expressions along with up-regulating peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPARα) and down-regulating activator protein 1 (AP-1) gene expression. Additionally, chromosomal abnormalities and mitotic index were nearly normalized after treatment with RJ and CV. In conclusion, RJ and CV can protect against GA3-induced genotoxicity and liver toxicity by diminishing oxidative stress and inflammation, and modulating the PPARα/AP-1 signaling pathway.

Oral supplementation of solvent-free kynurenic acid/cyclodextrin nanosponges complexes increased its bioavailability

Many nutraceuticals present problems due to their poor water solubility or stability, which prevents the final bioactivity achievement. For that reason, the oral administration of KYNA complexed with HPβ-CD and βNS-CDI nanosponges was evaluated in mice. The solvent-free technology was used to prepare the complexes in a complete comparison between kneading in ball milling and classical inclusion complex preparation. The solvent-free ones showed higher strength and efficiency with ball milling, considerably reducing time. A 50 mg KYNA/kg/day dosage was orally administered in formulations showing a higher bioavailability when the nutraceutical was complexed with βNS-CDI compared to HPβ-CD and free KYNA, respectively. Several antioxidant statuses demonstrated a higher global antioxidant level perfectly related to bioavailability. Finally, the formulation of KYNA reduced the temporal oxidative stress damage in the kidney and liver, making βNS-CDI the best formulation. These results suggest an important future application of cyclodextrin-based nanosponges for the oral delivery of nutraceuticals and their stabilization.

A review on biochemical constituents of pumpkin and their role as pharma foods; a key strategy to improve health in post COVID 19 period

Progression of today’s world has been given setback due to the adversity of a novel, viral, deadly outbreak COVID 19, which raised the concerns of the scientists, researchers and health related officials about the inherent and adaptive immune system of the living body and its relation with healthy diet balanced with pharma foods. Now world is coming out of the destructive pandemic era, the choice of right food can help to build and boost adaptive immunity and pumpkin due to excellent profile of functional and nutraceutical constituents could be the part of both infected and non-infected person’s daily diet. Vitamins like A, C and E, minerals like zinc, iron and selenium, essential oils, peptides, carotenoids and polysaccharides present in pumpkin could accommodate the prevailing deficiencies in the body to fought against the viral pathogens. In current post COVID 19 scenario adequate supply of healthy diet, balanced with pharma foods could play a basic role in boosting immune system of the populations. This review covers the pharmacological activities of pumpkin functional constituents in relation with COVID 19 pandemic. Pumpkins are well equipped with nutraceuticals and functional bioactives like tocopherols, polyphenols, terpenoids and lutein therefore, consumption and processing of this remarkable vegetable could be encouraged as pharma food due to its antihyperlipidemic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, antimicrobial and antioxidant potential. Need of healthy eating in current post COVID 19 period is very crucial for healthy population, and medicinal foods like pumpkin could play a vital role in developing a healthy community around the globe.

Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Potential, and Therapeutic Benefits of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.)

Pumpkin is a well-known multifunctional ingredient in the diet, full of nutrients, and has opened new vistas for scientists during the past years. The fruit of pumpkin including the flesh, seed, and peel are a rich source of primary and secondary metabolites, including proteins, carbohydrates, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, tocopherols, tryptophan, delta-7-sterols, and many other phytochemicals. This climber is traditionally used in many countries, such as Austria, Hungary, Mexico, Slovenia, China, Spain, and several Asian and African countries as a functional food and provides health promising properties. Other benefits of pumpkin, such as improving spermatogenesis, wound healing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-ulcerative properties, and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia have also been confirmed by researchers. For better drug delivery, nanoemulsions and niosomes made from pumpkin seeds have also been reported as a health promising tool, but further research is still required in this field. This review mainly focuses on compiling and summarizing the most relevant literature to highlight the nutritional value, phytochemical potential, and therapeutic benefits of pumpkin.

Protein for Human Consumption From Oilseed Cakes: A Review

Oilseed cakes left after the oil extraction for different purposes are chiefly used as cattle feed, compost amendment, or plant conditioner. These oilseed cakes are rich in protein, nitrogenous compounds, and minerals. Beside its conventional usage, studies have been conducted to utilize these protein rich resources for human consumption. Considering the exponentially increasing human population and escalating food prices, these protein rich sources can be a novel food commodity and used to extract protein. The quality and functional properties of extracted oilseed cake proteins not only supplement the existing protein sources for the human consumption but also solve the problem of oilseed cakes disposal along with the additional income to the oilseed crop producers and processers. Production of proteins for human consumption from oil seed cakes may also reduce the carbon and water footprints while producing animal protein. The present review will focused on analyzing the oilseed cake as a protein source, characterization, extraction techniques, and utilization in food products.

Study the Pharmacognostic profile, Antiradical and Hepatoprotective potential of Carissacarandas Linn. fruit extract

AIMS

Carissa carandas Linn. is a thorny shrub (Family: Apocynaceae), commonly called as Karonda. The shrub can be grown in tropical and subtropical climate region.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

The objective of the experimental work was to analyse the efficacy of fruit extract of C. carandas Linn. with respect to hepatoprotective property using supportive evidence of in vitro and in vivo antiradical activity. The antioxidant activity of ethanolic fruit extract was determined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide free radical scavenging assay, using Ascorbic acid as standard drug. Oral administration of C. carandas Linn. ethanolic fruit extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) revealed a considerable marked protection property against acute hepatotoxicity induced by the carbon tetrachloride, moreover that has been evaluated in terms of biochemical parameters.

RESULTS

Administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induce amplified levels of serum biomarker enzymes including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the blood serum with attenuated in-vivo antioxidant enzymes levels such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase in hepatic tissues. The administration of fruit extract would reduce the CCl4- induced hepatic toxicity; these effects may be due to presence of phytochemicals including carbohydrates, tannins, phenolic components and flavonoids. However, HPLC and TLC studies would ensure the presence of gallic and quercetin in the ethanolic fruit extract of the plant.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the ethanolic fruit extract of C.carandas Linn. exhibits significant hepatoprotective activity which could be partly imputed to its both in-vitro as well as in-vivo antioxidant property, together with effective total phenolic and total flavonoid content and thus concedes for further findings.

In vivo hepatoprotective effect of Morinda elliptica stem extract against liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide

Morinda elliptica L. (Rubiaceae) is a phytomedicinal herb, used to treat gastrointestinal complications in Peninsular Malaysia. The study evaluates the in vivo hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of M. elliptica stem in thioacetamide (TAA) induced liver fibrosis in male Sprague Drawly rats. Thirty adult rats were divided into five groups of six rats each. Rats of the normal control group received intraperitoneal injections (i. p.) of vehicle 10% Tween-20, 5 ml/kg, and hepatotoxic group 200 mg/kg TAA three times per week respectively. Three supplementary groups were treated with TAA plus daily oral silymarin (50 mg/kg) or M. elliptica (250 or 500 mg/kg). After 8 weeks of treatment, all rats were sacrificed. Liver fibrosis was assessed by gross macroscopic and microscopic tissue analysis, histopathological, and biochemical analysis. The livers of the TAA treated group showed uniform coarse granules, hepatocytic necrosis with lymphocytes infiltration. Contrary, the livers of M. elliptica treated groups (250 and 500 mg/kg) were much smoother and the cell damage was much lesser. The livers of M. elliptica treated groups rats showed elevated activity of SOD and CAT with a significant decrease in MDA level at p < .0001. The level of liver damage parameters, that is, ALP, ALT, and AST, bilirubin, total protein, and albumin were restored to the normal comparable to silymarin. M. elliptica stem extract significantly promoted normal rat liver architecture with significant perfections in biochemical parameters. The molecular contents of M. elliptica with hepatoprotective influence could be discovered, is the future prospective of this study.

Effect of Roasting on the Antioxidant Activity, Phenolic Composition, and Nutritional Quality of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seeds

In recent years, with the increasing awareness of health concerns and environment protection needs, there is a growing interest for consumers to choose plant-based food diets compared with those made from animal origin. Pumpkin seed is an excellent dietary source for protein, oil, and some essential micronutrients. Raw pumpkin seed may have a compromised flavor, color, as well as digestibility. Therefore, the objective of present study is to study the influence of roasting (120, 160, and 200°C for 10 min) on the phenolics content, flavonoids content, antioxidant property, fatty acids, and volatile matter composition, as well as protein profile of pumpkin seeds. Our results indicated that, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids content, as a consequence, total antioxidant capacity increased as the roasting temperature increased. Maillard reaction products and lipid peroxidation products were identified, especially from those pumpkin seeds roasted at high temperature. In the meantime, the composition and content of fatty acids did not change significantly after roasting. The results of electrophoresis and particle size analysis showed that the optimum roasting temperature was 160°C to obtain protein with better nutritional quality. The findings of this study may contribute to the utilization of pumpkin seed component in plant-based diets with increased nutritional quality.

Effects of replacing soybean meal with pumpkin seed cake and dried distillers grains with solubles on milk performance and antioxidant functions in dairy cows

Pumpkin seed cake (PSC), a byproduct of pumpkin seed oil processing, is used in ruminant feed as a beneficial protein source. Experiments were conducted to evaluate PSC as a substitute for soybean meal in the diets of lactating cows based on performance, rumen fermentation, antioxidant function and nitrogen partitioning. Six multiparous lactating cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square experiment with 27-day periods. The cows were randomly divided into three treatment groups: group (1) was fed a diet containing no PSC (0PSC), and groups (2) and (3) were fed diets in which soybean meal was replaced with PSC and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) at levels of 50% (50PSC) and 100% (100PSC), respectively. The diets were isonitrogenous and contained identical roughage but different proportions of PSC and DDGS. Replacement of soybean meal with PSC and DDGS did not influence rumen degradation, milk performance, rumen fermentation, DM intake or apparent total tract digestibility, and nitrogen partitioning between milk, feces and urine did not differ in the animals fed the three diets. However, compared with a diet containing no PSC, the total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05) and antioxidant enzymes (total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) activities (P < 0.05) were increased in the animals that received the 50PSC and 100PSC diets. In contrast, addition of PSC significantly reduced concentrations of aspartate transaminase (P < 0.05), alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (P < 0.05) in the plasma. These results demonstrate that PSC can be completely substituted for soybean meal in the diet of dairy cows without any negative impact on milk performance, rumen fermentation or apparent digestibility and that this dietary change improves antioxidant functions and blood parameters in dairy cows, indicating that PSC has the potential for use as a feed source for dairy cows.

Antioxidant Activities of Methanol Extracts of Thirteen Cameroonian Antibacterial Dietary Plants

This study falls within the search for alternative solutions to problems related to diseases associated with oxidative stress. It involved the evaluation of antioxidant activities extracts from thirteen antibacterial Cameroonian food plants, namely, P. nigrum, A. cruentus, L. sativa, S. edule, S. nigrum, V. amygdalina, A. hybridus, V. hymenolepis, L. capensis, M. esculenta, C. melo, T. occidentalis, and T. triangulare. The thirteen plant extracts with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity all showed total reducing powers ranging between 2.41 and 27.81 AAE (mg ascorbic acid equivalents per gram of dried extract) and total phenol contents between 2.65 and 35.03 GAE (mg of gallic acid equivalents per gram of dried extract) of dry extract. Except for extracts of L. capensis, the other 12 extracts showed flavonoid contents ranging between 0.29 and 5.99 RE (rutin equivalents per gram of dried extract). All 13 plant extracts also showed free radical scavenging activity against DPPH· with IC50 ranging between 1.65 and 310.52 μg/ml, while 12 of these extracts exhibited inhibitory activity against NO· radical (IC50 ranging from 19.77 to 157.72 μg/ml). Statistically insignificant positive correlations ( $p>0.5$ ) were found between antibacterial activities of these plants and their antioxidant activities. The different results of this study provide scientific evidence for the use of these antibacterial food plants in the control of different conditions associated with oxidative stress.

A Modified Protocol of Diethylnitrosamine Administration in Mice to Model Hepatocellular Carcinoma

We aimed to create an animal model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a short time, a high survival rate, as well as a high incidence of HCC in both males and females than previously reported. The Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) model has an age-related effect. A single dose of DEN treatment is not enough in young mice up to 50 weeks. The same pattern is shown in an adult with multiple-dose trials whether or not there is some promotion agent. In this study, two-week old C57BL6 mice were given a total of eight doses of DEN, initially 20mg/kg body weight, and then 30mg/kg in the third week, followed by 50mg/kg for the last six weeks. The first group is DEN treatment only and the other two groups received thioacetamide (TAA) treatment for four or eight weeks after one week of rest from the last DEN treatment. An autopsy was performed after 24 weeks of the initial dose of DEN in each group. The cellular arrangement of HCC in the entire group was well-differentiated carcinoma and tumor presence with no significant impact on the survival of mice. Increased levels of the biochemical markers in serum, loss of tissue architecture, hepatocyte death, and proliferation were highly activated in all tumor-induced groups. This finding demonstrates an improved strategy to generate an animal model with a high occurrence of tumors combined with cirrhosis in a short time regardless of sex for researchers who want to investigate liver cancer-related.

Pumpkin seed oil alleviates oxidative stress and liver damage induced by sodium nitrate in adult rats: biochemical and histological approach

BACKGROUND

Nitrate (NO3) is the most common chemical contaminant in the world's ground water aquifer. Oxidative stress has been proposed as a possible mechanism involved in NO3 toxicity on non-target organism.

OBJECTIVES

The current study aimed to elucidate the potential protective effect of Telfairia occidentalis (pumpkin seed oil, PSO) against hepatotoxicity induced by sodium nitrate.

METHODS

Wistar rats were exposed either to NaNO3 (200 mg/kg bw) in drinking water in drinking water, or to 4ml PSO/kg bw by gavage or to their combination. Oxidative stress parameters, biochemical biomarkers and liver histopathological examination were determined.

RESULTS

Our data showed that the exposure of rats to NaNO3 caused significant changes of some haematological parameters compared to the control. In addition, there was a significant elevation of the levels of biochemical markers as that of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase when compared with the control. Furthermore, exposure of rats to NaNO3 induced liver oxidative stress as indicated by the increase of malondialdehyde, progressive oxidation of protein products and protein carbonyl levels. In addition, a reduction in anti-oxidant status (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and vitamin C) was observed.

CONCLUSION

Co-administration of PSO to the NaNO3 restored most parameters cited above to near-normal values. Therefore, the present investigation revealed the ability of PSO to attenuate NaNO3-induced oxidative damage.

Nutrient mixture from germinated legumes: Enhanced medicinal value with herbs-attenuated liver cirrhosis

Among various food processing strategies, germination and dehulling enhance the nutritional content of the food, and the addition of herbs to this could improve the medicinal value. The milled powders of germinated Macrotyloma uniflorum (horse gram) and Vigna radiata (green gram) were used to make the nutrient mixture. Further, Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Trigonella foenum graecum (fenugreek) were used to improve its medicinal value. The prepared nutrient mixture has high nutritional value, antioxidant potential, and reduced antinutrient factors. Supplementation of nutrient mixture reduced oxidative stress-mediated hepatocyte injury on the CCl₄ -induced liver cirrhosis model. Further, histological examination (H&E and Sirius red), matrix metalloproteinase gelatin zymography, and Western blot revealed the management of hepatic stellate cells in an inactive stage thereby reduced cirrhosis. These findings conclude that the supplementation of nutrient mixture formulation protected and effectively prevented liver cirrhosis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study has a good impact on nutritional therapy for liver diseases. Many of the chronic liver diseases are associated with severe malnutrition and hypoalbuminemia, which further worsens the condition. This study would emphasize the nutritional therapy to treat such imbalance and enriching the medicinal value of nutrition mixture with herbs could target different pathophysiological changes and provide better defense in liver disease patients. Since this nutrient mixture is from common edible natural resources, it could reach the pharmaceutical industry's attention to the highest production and marketing.

Targeting AngII/AT1R signaling pathway by perindopril inhibits ongoing liver fibrosis in rat

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has a substantial role in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and portal hypertension. Hence, targeting RAS through angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can mend hepatic fibrosis; the current study was designed to examine the potential fibrosis inhibition activity of perindopril using a rat model of liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide (TAA). Four groups of rats were used throughout this study, Group I (control group); rats received the vehicle. TAA was used for inducing liver fibrosis in rats by intraperitoneal injection of 200-mg/kg body weight twice a week for 6 weeks. Group II served as (TAA group). Rats of Groups III and IV were given perindopril at doses of 2 and 8 mg/kg 2 weeks after TAA administration and continued concomitantly with TAA till the end of the experiment. Injection of TAA resulted in a significant increase in aminotransferases' activities and bilirubin with a significant decrease in serum albumin and total protein and a significant decrease in hepatic content of GSH and SOD. Additionally, TAA injection raised the hepatic content of TGF-β1, α-SMA, TNF-α, and level of MDA. Histological and immunohistochemical data presented marked fibrosis in liver sections of TAA-administrated rats with increased collagen deposition, elevated METAVIR scoring, and increased expression of α-SMA, caspase-3, and AT1R. Oral dosing of perindopril for 4 weeks concomitant with TAA could mend the altered parameters near to normal values and abolished the ongoing fibrosis extension. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that perindopril, as ACE inhibitor, could grant a superior remedial nominee in preventing liver fibrosis progression through targeting angiotensin II formation.

Ameliorative effect of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) and its protein on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

Hepatoprotective effect of flaxseed and its protein on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in adult Wistar rats was investigated. The rats were divided into eight groups of which two served as control (group I: Control for AIN-93M diet groups and group II: Control for cereal-pulse diet groups) and six groups received ethanol orally every day. After 10 days along with ethanol, the rats received AIN-93M diet (group III); AIN-93M diet and commercial hepatoprotective formulation (CHF) (group IV); casein replaced by flaxseed protein in AIN-93M diet (group V); cereal-pulse diet (group VI); cereal-pulse diet and CHF (group VII); cereal-pulse diet containing flaxseed (group VIII) for four weeks. The flaxseed and its protein significantly prevented the elevation of plasma markers of hepatic damage, lowered lipid peroxidation, mitigated changes in antioxidant enzymes, and suppressed histopathological signs of hepatic damage. The hepatoprotective effect of flaxseed and its protein was comparable to CHF. These findings implicate the ameliorative effect of flaxseed and its protein on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Owing to globalization and an increase in earning capacity, alcohol consumption is becoming a part of social life and gradually transforming to addiction. Binge drinking is highly prevalent among low socioeconomic status population, which poses severe risks to health. Alcohol abuse is a public health problem causing three million deaths annually worldwide. Alcohol consumption is known to be a major cause of liver damage worldwide and has contributed to 44% of deaths from liver disease. As abstaining from alcohol is a challenging task, there is an escalating need to formulate potential hepatoprotective agents to prevent alcohol-induced hepatic damage. This study investigates the efficacy of flaxseed and its protein in conferring protection to the liver against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. This study also explores the benefits of incorporating flaxseed in the staple cereal-pulse diet. Findings of this study suggest that incorporation of flaxseed or its protein in food formulations can prevent hepatotoxicity and improve the overall quality of life among alcoholics.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Eriobotrya japonica Leaf Extract and Its Various Fractions against Carbon Tetra Chloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Eriobotrya japonica is traditionally used as an antipyretic, digestive, and diuretic agent. Its flowers possess free radical-scavenging, antioxidative, and hepatoprotective effects. We investigated the hepatoprotective potential of E. japonica leaf extract and its various fractions against hepatotoxicity in rats. Liver injury was stimulated by the oral administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄; 2.5 mL/kg b.wt.). Male albino rats (n = 55) were distributed arbitrarily into 11 groups: Group I, normal control group; Group II, CCl₄ (positive control group); Group III, CCl₄ + silymarin; Groups IV and V, CCl₄ + two doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg of the 80% methanolic extract of E. japonica leaves, respectively; Groups VI and VII, CCl₄ + 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of the ethyl acetate fraction, respectively; Groups VIII and IX, CCl₄ + 250 and 500 mg/kg of the butanol fraction, respectively; and Groups X and XI, CCl₄ + 250 and 500 mg/kg of the aqueous fraction of E. Japonica leaves, respectively. CCl₄-treated rats that were given 250 or 500 mg/kg of the methanol extract of E. Japonica leaves, or its ethyl acetate, butanol, or aqueous fractions, had significantly lower levels of biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphate, total protein, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and bilirubin levels than those of the CCl₄ positive group. However, the extract and fractions did not significantly affect lipid profiles. Thus, we conclude that Eriobotrya leaf extract and its fractions have a hepatoprotective effect against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Effect of partially purified sub-fractions of Pterocarpus mildbraedii extract on carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to determine the hepatoprotective effect of partially purified fractions from Pterocarpus mildbraedii extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intoxicated rats.

METHODS

The methanol extract of P. mildbraedii was subjected to solvent partitioning using n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate and water. Separation of fractions with proven antioxidant activity was achieved by chromatographic techniques. Acute toxicity and hepatoprotective studies of the methanol sub-fraction 6 (Me 6), methanol sub-fraction 7 (Me 7) and methanol sub-fraction 8 (Me 8) from P. mildbraedii extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intoxicated Wister rats.

RESULTS

Intoxication of rats with CCl4 resulted in significant (p < 0.05) increase in the activities of aspartate transferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), level of malondialdehyde (MDA) while glutathione (GSH) concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were decreased. Administration of Me6, Me7 and Me8 sub-fractions of P. mildbraedii caused a significant reduction (p > 0.05) in the activities of the liver enzymes, MDA level, total and direct bilirubin in dose-dependent manner. There were significant (p < 0.05) increases in GSH concentration, SOD, CAT, and Gpx activities in the treated groups. The subfractions also restored the damaged hepatic-architecture in the treated groups.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, Me6, Me7 and Me8 leaf sub-fractions of P. mildbraedii extract have hepatoprotective effect. Therefore, this vegetable can further be exploited as a source of drug/supplement development in the prevention and treatment of liver damage.

Proteomic Analysis of Differentially-Expressed Proteins in the Liver of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Parkia biglobosa Protein Isolate

Protein isolate from Parkia biglobosa seeds is believed to possess excellent anti-diabetic properties. The purpose of this study was to identify differentially expressed proteins in liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with Parkia biglobosa seeds protein isolate (PBPi). In this study, total proteins extracted from rat liver were separated on one-dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel (1D SDS-PAGE) and stained with Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB) to visualize protein bands. We observed that protein bands in the region of 10-15 kDa were altered by the different treatments; these bands were selected and excised for in-gel digestion and peptide extraction followed by nLC-MS, MALDI-TOF MS, and LIFT MS/MS. A database search with the Mascot algorithm positively identified four differentially expressed proteins. These proteins are known to be responsible for diverse biological functions within various organs and tissues. The present result gives insight and understanding into possible molecular mechanisms by which streptozotocin causes various alterations in proteins found in the liver of diabetic rats and the possible modulatory role of PBPi in the management of streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological impacts of barium chloride and barium carbonate accumulation in soft tissues of male Sprague-Dawley rats

The present study was designed to investigate the hematotoxicity, sero-biochemical and histological changes due to the accumulation of BaCl₂ and BaCO₃, the most important barium salts in our daily lives, in different soft tissues including the liver, kidney, heart, and spleen of adult rats after an oral exposure for 30 consecutive days, and to explain the different mechanisms by which this metal can exert these impacts. For this purpose, adult male rats were divided into three main groups of 15 animals each: group I, serving as controls, group II, receiving BaCl₂ orally in a dose of 179 mg barium/kg b.wt, and group III, receiving BaCO₃ orally in a dose of 418 mg barium/kg b.wt. for 30 consecutive days. Obviously, normocytic normochromic anemia was evident in both barium groups. Serum biochemical analysis revealed significant declines in glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and urea with significant elevations in malondialdehyde, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase levels. Hyperphosphatemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, and hypochloremia were also evident in both barium groups. Besides, residual analysis of both barium salts in different body organs revealed significantly abundant barium residues in the liver, spleen, heart, and kidney, respectively in both barium salts groups. Moreover, splenic tissue showed hemosiderosis, peritubular congestion, and necrotic glomeruli with intratubular hemorrhage. Sever subepicardial congestion with intramuscular edema was evident in the heart. In conclusion, BaCl₂ and BaCO₃ were able to deliver mortalities, antioxidant enzymes exhaustion, and a sort of normocytic normochromic anemia, as well as marked disturbances in cardiac, hepatic, and renal functions due to the accumulation of these two salts in the soft tissues. Therefore, these results demonstrate the unrecognized toxicity of those two barium salts due to their accumulation in various soft tissues of the body and so, this needs to reconsider about barium exposure.

Protective Effects of Parkia biglobosa Protein Isolate on Streptozotocin-Induced Hepatic Damage and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Male Rats

This study sought to investigate the possible protective role of Parkia biglobosa seed protein isolate (PBPi) against streptozotocin-induced hepatic damage and oxidative stress in diabetic male rats. Prior to animal experiments, a HPLC fingerprint of PBPi was recorded. Diabetes was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg body weight). Diabetic rats were orally treated daily with PBPi (200 or 400 mg/kg body weight) or insulin (5 U/kg, i.p.) for 28 days. The degree of protection was evaluated using biochemical parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, serum transaminases (ALT and AST), total protein, total glutathione (Total GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) activities. Histology of liver sections was also performed. The HPLC fingerprint of PBPi revealed eleven distinct peaks; PBPi at tested doses significantly attenuates STZ-induced elevated levels of serum IL-6, ALT and AST; and hepatic TBARS levels. Hepatic antioxidants (Total GSH, GST, SOD, CAT) as well as total protein were markedly restored in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological results strongly support the protective role of PBPi. These results suggest PBPi could confer protection by ameliorating hepatic damage and oxidative stress caused by STZ in animal model possibly via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Protective effects of Centella asiatica leaf extract on dimethylnitrosamine‑induced liver injury in rats

Oxidative stress in liver injury is a major pathogenetic factor in the progression of liver damage. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, known in the United States as Gotu kola, is widely used as a traditional herbal medicine in Chinese or Indian Pennywort. The efficacy of Centella asiatica is comprehensive and is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, for memory improvement, for its antitumor activity and for treatment of gastric ulcers. The present study investigated the protective effects of Centella asiatica on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver injury in rats. The rats in the treatment groups were treated with Centella asiatica at either 100 or 200 mg/kg in distilled water (D.W) or with silymarin (200 mg/kg in D.W) by oral administration for 5 days daily following intraperitoneal injections of 30 mg/kg DMN. Centella asiatica significantly decreased the relative liver weights in the DMN-induced liver injury group, compared with the control. The assessment of liver histology showed that Centella asiatica significantly alleviated mass periportal ± bridging necrosis, intralobular degeneration and focal necrosis, with fibrosis of liver tissues. Additionally, Centella asiatica significantly decreased the level of malondialdehyde, significantly increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, and may have provided protection against the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species. In addition, Centella asiatica significantly decreased inflammatory mediators, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor. These results suggested that Centella asiatica had hepatoprotective effects through increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes and reducing the levels of inflammatory mediators in rats with DMN-induced liver injury. Therefore, Centella asiatica may be useful in preventing liver damage.

Comparative study on proximate, functional, mineral, and antinutrient composition of fermented, defatted, and protein isolate of Parkia biglobosa seed

The use of plant‐derived foods in the prevention, treatment, and management of metabolic diseases especially diabetes has gained prominence; this has been associated with their physicochemical properties. This study was conducted to compare the proximate, functional, mineral, and antinutrient composition of the fermented seeds, the defatted seeds, and the protein isolate from Parkia biglobosa seeds. The results showed that the fermented, defatted, and protein isolate varied in composition within the parameters studied. The proximate analysis revealed that the protein isolate had the highest ash (6.0%) and protein (59.4%) as well as the lowest fat (5.7%) and moisture (5.1%) content when compared to the fermented and defatted samples. In like manner, the functional properties of the protein isolate were relatively better than those of the fermented and defatted samples, with oil absorption capacity of 4.2% and emulsion capacity of 82%. The magnesium and zinc content of the protein isolate were significantly higher when compared with the fermented and defatted samples, while a negligible amount of antinutrient was present in all the samples, with the protein isolate having the lowest quantity. The overall data suggest that the protein isolate had better proximate, mineral, functional, and antinutrient properties when compared to the fermented and defatted samples. Therefore, the synergistic effect of all these components present in the protein isolate from P. biglobosa seed in association with its low carbohydrate and high protein/ash contents could play a vital role in the management of diabetes and its associated complications.

Barium chloride induces redox status unbalance, upregulates cytokine genes expression and confers hepatotoxicity in rats-alleviation by pomegranate peel

The present study was performed to establish the therapeutic efficacy of pomegranate peel against barium chloride induced liver injury. Adult rats were divided into four groups of six animals each: group I, serving as controls, received distilled water; group II received by their drinking water 67 ppm of BaCl2; group III received both 67 ppm of BaCl2 by the same way than group II and 5 % of pomegranate peel (PP) via diet; group IV received 5 % of PP. Analysis by HPLC/MS of PP showed its rich composition in flavonoids such as gallic acid, castalin, hyperin, quercitrin, syringic acid, and quercetin. The protective effects of pomegranate peel against hepatotoxicity induced by barium chloride were assessed using biochemical parameters and histological studies. Exposure of rats to barium caused oxidative stress in the liver as evidenced by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs), H2O2 and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (AST) and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) activities, a decrease in catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, glutathion (GSH), non-protein thiol (NPSH), vitamin C levels, and Mn-SOD gene expression. Liver total MT levels, MT-1, and MT-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine genes expression like TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased. Pomegranate peel, supplemented in the diet of barium-treated rats, showed an improvement of all the parameters indicated above.The present work provided ethnopharmacological relevance of pomegranate peel against the toxic effects of barium, suggesting its beneficial role as a potential antioxidant.

Hepatoprotective potential of kumaryasava and its concentrate against CCl4-induced hepatic toxicity in Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE

Kumaryasava (KS) is a marketed Ayurvedic formulation containing Aloe vera as the main ingredient. It has been used widely for the treatment of liver disorders; however, there is a lack of modern scientific data on hepatoprotection. The recommended dose of KS is high and up to 60 mL/day. The present study describes the preparation of new KS concentrate and evaluation of comparative hepatoprotective activity of KS and prepared KS concentrate at one-third of KS dose against CCl4-induced hepatic toxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Animals were divided into different groups (n = 6). The first group received normal saline (control) 1.0 mL/Kg/day p.o. for 10 days. The second group (toxicant) was given normal saline 1.0 mL/Kg/day p.o. for 10 days with CCl4 in olive oil (1:1 v/v) at 1.0 mL/Kg/day p.o. Third, fourth, and fifth groups received KS, KS concentrate and a marketed formulation as standard) at doses of 5.0 mL/Kg/day p.o., 1.6 mL/Kg/day p.o., and 100 mL/Kg/day p.o. (tablet suspended in water using 0.1% carboxymethyl cellulose) respectively for 10 days along with CCl4 as given to the toxicant group. On the 11(th) day, blood was withdrawn from retro-orbital plexus and serum was separated for biochemical estimation of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and albumin levels. Later, animals were sacrificed under high dose of anesthesia to remove liver tissue, which were removed and washed with ice cold saline for the estimation of lipid peroxidation. Liver tissue from each group was also fixed in 10% formalin for histopathological analysis.

RESULTS

Results demonstrated that both KS and KS concentrate showed the protection against CCl4-induced hepatic toxicity. This was evident from the reduction in serum SGOT, SGPT, ALP levels, and elevation in serum albumin levels observed post treatment of CCl4 treated rats with KS and KS concentrate, which were supported by histopathological data.

CONCLUSION

KS concentrate can be a useful hepatoprotective formulation which may help in reducing the high dose of KS to approximately one-third of the recommended dose.

Hepatocurative potential of Vitex doniana root bark, stem bark and leaves extracts against CCl4-induced liver damage in rats

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the hepatocurative effects of aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves of Vitex doniana in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage and non induced liver damage albino rats.

METHODS

A total of 60 albino rats (36 induced liver damage and 24 non induced liver damage) were assigned into liver damage and non liver damage groups of 6 rats in a group. The animals in the CCl4 induced liver damage groups, were induced by intraperitoneal injection with a single dose of CCl4 (1 mL/kg body weight) as a 1:1(v/v) solution in olive oil and were fasted for 36 h before the subsequent treatment with aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves extracts of Vitex doniana and vitamin E as standard drug (100 mg/kg body weight per day) for 21 d, while the animals in the non induced groups were only treated with the daily oral administration of these extracts at the same dose. The administration of CCl4 was done once a week for a period of 3 weeks.

RESULTS

There was significant (P<0.05) increase in concentration of all liver marker enzymes, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline aminotransferase (ALT, AST and ALP) and significant (P<0.05) decrease in albumin in the CCl4 induced liver damage control when compared to the normal control. The extracts caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the serum activities of liver marker enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) and a significant (P<0.05) increase in albumin of all the induced treated groups. Only stem bark extract and vitamin E significantly (P<0.05) increased total protein. All the extracts significantly (P<0.05) lowered serum creatinine whereas only root bark extract significantly (P<0.05) lowered serum level of urea in the rats with CCl4 induced liver damage.

CONCLUSION

Hepatocurative study shows that all the plant parts (root bark, stem bark and leaves) possess significant hepatocurative properties among other therapeutic values justifying their use in folklore medicine.

Toxicological evaluations of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves in liver and kidney of male Wistar rats

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to investigate toxicological effects associated with prolonged consumption of Moringa oleifera leaves as a beverage.

METHODS

Thirty rats were used in this study. They were grouped into five groups of six rats. Rats in group I received 2 mL/kg body weight (b.w.) of corn oil (vehicle). Animals in groups II, III, IV and V received 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. of methanolic extract of M. oleifera (MEMO) for 8 weeks. Serum collected was analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine.

RESULTS

There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum total protein and globulin in a dose-dependent manner. Rats that received MEMO at 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum ALT, AST, BUN and creatinine which pointed to hepatic and kidney damage. All experimental animals that received MEMO had a significant (p<0.05) increase in body weight in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

This study therefore confirms for the first time that chronic administration of M. oleifera leaves might predispose to hepatic and kidney damage.

Intervention in cyclophosphamide induced oxidative stress and DNA damage by a flavonyl-thiazolidinedione based organoselenocyanate and evaluation of its efficacy during adjuvant therapy in tumor bearing mice

A novel flavonyl-thiazolidinedione based organoselenocyanate compound was synthesized and established as nontoxic at the doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg b.w. in mice. Oral administration of the compound in combination with cyclophosphamide (CP) resulted in an improved therapeutic efficacy which was mostly evidenced in terms of tumor burden and protection of normal cells. The adjuvant therapy was proved to be immensely significant in increasing the mean survivability of the tumor bearing hosts. Reduction in the tumor volume was manifested through the induction of apoptosis and generation of ROS in transformed cells. Moreover, the organoselenium compound could efficiently suppress CP-induced DNA damage, chromosomal aberration, hepatic damage and enhanced the activities of various antioxidant enzymes in normal cells.

Antioxidative burst and hepatoprotective effects of ethanol root extract of Hippocratea africana against paracetamol-induced liver injury

CONTEXT

Hippocratea africana (Willd.) Loes. ex Engl. (Celastraceae) root is used traditionally as an antipoison or antidote to treat liver diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate antioxidative burst and hepatoprotective potentials of H. africana against paracetamol-induced liver injury in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Antioxidative burst activity of the extract (1-100 µg/ml) in whole blood, neutrophils and macrophages was investigated using a luminol/lucigenin-based chemiluminescence assay. The hepatoprotective effect of the extract (200-600 mg/kg) was evaluated by the assay of liver function parameters, antioxidant enzymes and histopathological studies of the liver. GC-MS analyses of hexane and dichloromethane fractions were also carried out.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The root extract/fractions exerted pronounced inhibition of oxidative burst activity in whole blood, neutrophils (intracellular and extracellular) and macrophages (3.04-99.70%). The administration of the root extract caused significant (p < 0.05-0.001) reduction of high levels of liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP), total cholesterol, direct and total bilirubin as well as elevation of serum levels of total protein, albumin and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH). Histology of the liver sections of extract and silymarin-treated animals showed reductions in the pathological features compared to the paracetamol-treated animals. The chemical pathological changes were consistent with histopathological observations suggesting a marked hepatoprotective effect of the root extract of H. africana. The GC-MS analysis revealed some pharmacologically active compounds.

CONCLUSION

The results show that the root extract of H. africana has hepatoprotective potential probably due to its antioxidative burst activity.

Antibacterial activities of the methanol extracts of ten Cameroonian vegetables against Gram-negative multidrug-resistant bacteria

BACKGROUND

Many edible plants are used in Cameroon since ancient time to control microbial infections. This study was designed at evaluating the antibacterial activities of the methanol extracts of ten Cameroonian vegetables against a panel of twenty nine Gram negative bacteria including multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains.

METHODS

The broth microdilution method was used to determine the Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and the Minimal Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC) of the studied extracts. When chloramphenicol was used as a reference antibiotic, the MICs were also determined in the presence of Phenylalanine-Arginine β-Naphtylamide (PAβN), an efflux pumps inhibitor (EPI). The phytochemical screening of the extracts was performed using standard methods.

RESULTS

All tested extracts exhibited antibacterial activities, with the MIC values varying from 128 to 1024 mg/L. The studied extracts showed large spectra of action, those from L. sativa, S. edule, C. pepo and S. nigrum being active on all the 29 bacterial strains tested meanwhile those from Amaranthus hybridus, Vernonia hymenolepsis, Lactuca.carpensis and Manihot esculenta were active on 96.55% of the strains used. The plant extracts were assessed for the presence of large classes of secondary metabolites: alkaloids, anthocyanins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins and triterpenes. Each studied plant extract was found to contain compounds belonging to at least two of the above mentioned classes.

CONCLUSION

These results confirm the traditional claims and provide promising baseline information for the potential use of the tested vegetables in the fight against bacterial infections involving MDR phenotypes.

Hepatoprotective effect of biherbal ethanolic extract against paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in albino rats

AIM

The combined hepatoprotective effect of Bi-herbal ethanolic extract (BHEE) was evaluated against paracetamol induced hepatic damage in albino rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Liver function tests and biochemical parameters were estimated using standard kits. Livers were quickly removed and fixed in 10% formalin and subjected to histopathological studies.

RESULTS

Ethanolic extract from the leaves of Aerva lanata and leaves of Achyranthes aspera at a dose level of 200 mg/kg, 400mg/kg body weight was administered orally once for 3 days. Substantially elevated serum marker enzymes such as SGOT, SGPT, ALP, due to paracetamol treatment were restored towards normal. Biochemical parameters like total protein, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and urea were also restored towards normal levels. In addition, BHEE significantly decreased the liver weight of paracetamol intoxicated rats. Silymarin at a dose level of 25 mg/kg used as a standard reference also exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study strongly indicate that BHEE has got a potent hepatoprotective action against paracetamol induced hepatic damage in rats.

Phytochemical analysis, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Alchornea cordifolia methanol leaf extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of Alchornea cordifolia (A. cordifolia) leaf extract.

METHODS

Various solvent fractions of the methanol extract of the leaf of the plant A. cordifolia Mull. Arg (Fam: Euphorbiaceae) were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity by carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats. The degree of protection was measured by using biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxalate transaminase (SGOT/AST), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT/ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the extract was also evaluated by the 1, 1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening.

RESULTS

The ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions, at a dose of 300 mg/kg, produced significant (P<0.05) hepatoprotection by decreasing the activities of the serum enzymes and bilirubin while there were marked scavenging of the DPPH free radicals by the fractions. The effects were comparable to those of the standard drugs used for the respective experiments, silymarin and ascorbic acid. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins were detected in the phytochemical screening.

CONCLUSION

From this study, it was concluded that the plant of A. cordifolia possesses hepatoprotective as well as antioxidant activities and these activities reside mainly in the ethyl acetate and acetone fractions of methanol leaf extract.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Panus giganteus (Berk.) Corner against Thioacetamide- (TAA-) Induced Liver Injury in Rats

Panus giganteus, a culinary and medicinal mushroom consumed by selected indigenous communities in Malaysia, is currently being considered for large scale cultivation. This study was undertaken to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of P. giganteus against thioacetamide- (TAA-) induced liver injury in Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with TAA thrice weekly and were orally administered freeze-dried fruiting bodies of P. giganteus (0.5 or 1 g/kg) daily for two months, while control rats were given vehicle or P. giganteus only. After 60 days, rats administered with P. giganteus showed lower liver body weight ratio, restored levels of serum liver biomarkers and oxidative stress parameters comparable to treatment with the standard drug silymarin. Gross necropsy and histopathological examination further confirmed the hepatoprotective effects of P. giganteus. This is the first report on hepatoprotective effects of P. giganteus. The present study showed that P. giganteus was able to prevent or reduce the severity of TAA-induced liver injury.

New therapeutic aspect for carvedilol: antifibrotic effects of carvedilol in chronic carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage

Portal hypertension is a common complication of chronic liver diseases associated with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. At present, beta-blockers such as carvedilol remain the medical treatment of choice for protection against variceal bleeding and other complications. Since carvedilol has powerful antioxidant properties we assessed the potential antifibrotic effects of carvedilol and the underlying mechanisms that may add further benefits for its clinical usefulness using a chronic model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity. Two weeks after CCl4 induction of chronic hepatotoxicity, rats were co-treated with carvedilol (10mg/kg, orally) daily for 6weeks. It was found that treatment of animals with carvedilol significantly counteracted the changes in liver function and histopathological lesions induced by CCl4. Also, carvedilol significantly counteracted lipid peroxidation, GSH depletion, and reduction in antioxidant enzyme activities; glutathione-S-transferase and catalase that was induced by CCl4. In addition, carvedilol ameliorated the inflammation induced by CCl4 as indicated by reducing the serum level of acute phase protein marker; alpha-2-macroglobulin and the liver expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Finally, carvedilol significantly reduced liver fibrosis markers including hydroxyproline, collagen accumulation, and the expression of the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation marker; alpha smooth muscle actin. In conclusion, the present study provides evidences for the promising antifibrotic effects of carvedilol that can be explained by amelioration of oxidative stress through mainly, replenishment of GSH, restoration of antioxidant enzyme activities and reduction of lipid peroxides as well as amelioration of inflammation and fibrosis by decreasing collagen accumulation, acute phase protein level, NF-κB expression and finally HSC activation.

Oxidative stress induced by 2,4-phenoxyacetic acid in liver of female rats and their progeny: biochemical and histopathological studies

The 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was used in agriculture as an herbicide in many countries including Tunisia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2,4-D on liver function of adult rats and their progeny. Female Wistar rats were divided into two groups: the controls and the treated rats which received 600 ppm of 2,4-D in their drinking water from the 14th day of pregnancy until day 14 after delivery. In 2,4-D group, a significant decrease in body weight of pups was noted, when compared to controls. Liver antioxidant enzyme activities, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased in dams and pups. Moreover, plasma aminotransferases (ALT, AST), gamma glutamil transpeptidase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin and albumin levels were increased significantly. The biochemical modifications were correlated with histopathological studies. We concluded that 2,4-D induced hepatotoxicity in adult and suckling rats.

Green tea extract alleviates arsenic-induced biochemical toxicity and lipid peroxidation in rats

The present work was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of an aqueous extract of green tea (GT, Camellia sinensis) leaves against arsenic (NaAsO2)-induced biochemical toxicity and lipid peroxidation production in experimental rats. The treatment with arsenic exhibited a significant increase in some serum hepatic and renal biochemical parameters (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, bilirubin, cholesterol, urea and creatinine). But the co-administration of GT has increased the level of plasmatic concentration of biochemical parameters. Exposure of rats to arsenic caused also a significant increase in liver, kidney and testicular thiobarbituric acid reactive substances compared to control. However, the co-administration of GT was effective in reducing its level. To conclude, our data suggest that arsenic exposure enhanced an oxidative stress by disturbing the tissue antioxidant defense system, but the GT co-administration alleviates the toxicity induced by arsenic exposure.