Amelioration of CCl(4)-induced nephrotoxicity by Oxalis corniculata in rat

Ameliorative Potential of Pumpkin Seed Oil (Cucurbita pepo L.) Against Tramadol-Induced Oxidative Stress

Background of the Study

The increase in the therapeutic use of tramadol in the management of moderate to severe pains in some disease conditions and its unregulated access has led to its associated toxicity and there is little or no information on the protection against its associated toxicity.

Aim of the Study

Considering the medicinal value of pumpkin seed oil, its availability, and neglected use, it becomes necessary to evaluate the possible potential of the seed oil in tramadol-induced oxidative stress in Wister Albino rats.

Methods of the Study

This study used fifty-six (56) albino rats to determine the impact of Cucurbita pepo seed oil (CPSO) on tramadol-induced oxidative stress. The rats were grouped into 7. After a week of acclimatization, rats in group 1 (normal control) had access to water and food, while rats in group 2 received 5 mL/Kg (b.w) of normal saline. 100 mg/kg of tramadol (TM) was delivered to groups 3-6 to induce toxicity. The third group (TM control) received no treatment, whilst the other 3 groups (TM-CPSO treatment groups) received 5, 2.5, and 1.5 mL/Kg of CPSO, respectively. Group 7 received only 5 mL/kg CPSO (CPSO group). Similarly, groups 2 through 7 had unrestricted access to food and water for 42 days and received treatments via oral intubation once per day. Indicators of oxidative stress were discovered in the brain homogenate.

Results

TM toxicity was demonstrated by a considerable increase (P < .05) in the brain MDA level and a significant drop (P < .05) in the brain GSH level, as well as a significant reduction (P < .05) in GPx, catalase, SOD, GST, and quinone reductase activities.

Conclusion

The dose-dependent delivery of CPSO was able to restore not only the activity but also the concentrations of the altered markers.

Plants and their Bioactive Compounds as a Possible Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Traumatic brain injury is an outcome of the physical or mechanical impact of external forces on the brain. Thus, the silent epidemic has complex pathophysiology affecting the brain along with extracranial or systemic complications in more than one organ system, including the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal and endocrine system. which is referred to as Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome. It is driven by three interconnected mechanisms such as systemic hyperinflammation, paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, and immunosuppression-induced sepsis. These multifaceted pathologies accelerate the risk of mortality in clinical settings by interfering with the functions of distant organs through hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, acute lung injury, neurogenic pulmonary edema, reduced gastrointestinal motility, Cushing ulcers, acute liver failure, acute kidney injury, coagulopathy, endocrine dysfunction, and many other impairments. The pharmaceutical treatment approach for this is highly specific in its mode of action and linked to a variety of side effects, including hallucinations, seizures, anaphylaxis, teeth, bone staining, etc. Therefore, alternative natural medicine treatments are widely accepted due to their broad complementary or synergistic effects on the physiological system with minor side effects.

CONCLUSION

This review is a compilation of the possible mechanisms behind the occurrence of multiorgan dysfunction and reported medicinal plants with organoprotective activity that have not been yet explored against traumatic brain injury and thereby, highlighting the marked possibilities of their effectiveness in the management of multiorgan dysfunction. As a result, we attempted to respond to the hypothesis against the usage of medicinal plants to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Pulicaria crispa mitigates nephrotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats via regulation oxidative, inflammatory, tubular and glomerular indices

CONTEXT

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induces oxidative stress in various tissues by altering antioxidants defense system. Recently, there has been a substantial use of phytotherapy to treat different diseases.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to evaluate the curative effect of Pulicaria crispa (Forssk.) Benth et Hook (Family Asteraceae) aerial parts ethanol extract against CCl₄ induced toxicity in rats kidneys.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nephrotoxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection with CCl₄ in a dose of 0.5 mL/kg b.wt./twice a week for six consecutive weeks. Serum kidney function tests, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines, nephrotoxicity biomarkers and histopathological observation were evaluated.

RESULTS

CCl₄ increased serum kidney function parameters, malondialdehyde level, inflammatory cytokines, and nephrotoxicity markers, while decreased certain oxidative stress indices as superoxide dismutase and glutathione refereeing to the control group (p < 0.0001). Administration of P. crispa ethanol extract to CCl₄ injured rats attenuated these changes with variable degrees. The results were confirmed through the observed amelioration of the renal histological architectures.

CONCLUSION

P. crispa ethanol extract possesses potent curative effect against CCl₄-induced nephropathy through improvement of kidney function, oxidative stress, inflammatory and nephrotoxicity index and the renal histopathological features. To establish the therapeutic and pharmacological applications of the plant, additional researches are required.

A review on phyto-pharmacology of Oxalis corniculata

Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae) is a small decumbent and delicate appearing medicinal herb flourishing in warm temperate and tropical domains such as Pakistan and India. Main bioactive chemical constituents of Oxalis plant include several alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, phlobatannins along with steroids. Due to its polyphenolic, glycosides and flavonoid profile, it is proved to be protective in numerous ailments and exhibit various biological activities such as anti-fungal, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, and cardioprotective. Moreover, bioactive phytochemicals from this plant possess significant wound healing potential. Our current effort intends to emphasize on the immense significance of this plant species, which have not been the subject matter of clinical trials and effective pharmacological studies, even though its favored usage has been stated. This review proposes that Oxalis corniculata possess potential for the cure of various diseases, however, further researches on isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds along with pre-clinical trials are compulsory to figure out its pharmacological applications.

Phytochemical, acute toxicity and renal protective appraisal of Ajuga parviflora hydromethanolic leaf extract against CCl4 induced renal injury in rats

Background

Degenerative kidney diseases are mostly associated with oxidative stress. Natural products are considered as the antioxidants enrich food that can restrict the progress of oxidative stress induced disorders. Therefore, the present study was aimed to evaluate the renal protective effect of Ajuga parviflora leaf extract in carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats.

Methods

The hydromethanolic extract of A. parviflora leaves was obtained by extracting twice in 60% methanol. The principal bioactive constituents were detected by LC/MS analysis. Toxicity of plant extract was assessed using brine shrimp lethal toxicity test and acute toxicity model on healthy Sprague-Dawley male rats. Nephroprotective effects of plant extract were also evaluated on rats by inducing CCl₄ renal toxicity in comparison with positive control and naïve groups. The dose of A. parviflora administered to animal was 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. All administrations were given orally on an alternate day basis for 30 days. Urine and serum biomarkers were analyzed, along with antioxidant enzymes. Finally, the DNA damages, lipid peroxides, hydrogen peroxides and nitrites were assessed in rat’s renal tissue. The histopathology alterations in renal tissues were further studied for kidney damages.

Results

The LC/MS analysis confirmed the presence of different important pharmacological compounds in A. parviflora methanolic leaf extract. The key bioactive compounds include pyocyanin, zonisamide, D Saccharic acid, altretamine, carbocyclic thromboxane A2, Sinapyl alcohol, and vitamin C. The important polypeptides identified include Lys-Tyr-Lys, His-His-Lys, Met-Asp-Arg, Phe-Val-Arg, and PyroGlu-Val-Arg. The LD₅₀ of A. parviflora was found to be > 1000 μg/mL. A. parviflora administration significantly subsides CCl₄ toxicity in rats, reduced the elevated level of RBCs, pus and epithelial cells. The abnormal elevated level of specific gravity, creatinine, urobilinogen, urea and albumin were also reduced to normal physiological level. The reduced urinary protein and pH were also normalized. The serum urobilinogen, urea and total bilirubin levels were also reversed to normal levels while the diminished albumin and total protein levels also came to normal. The important phase I and II enzyme levels were also reversed in A. parviflora administered rats. The H₂O₂, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and nitrite levels were significantly decreased. Furthermore, the damaged DNA and histopathological changes in CCl₄ exposed rats were also highly significantly reversed after the administration of A. parviflora. All effects were significant (P < 0.05) and highly significant (P < 0.005) at 100 and 300 mg/kg respectively.

Conclusion

The restored urine and serum profile of various parameters to normal physiological levels suggests that the A. parviflora has potential antioxidant and repairing potential in renal disorders.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-021-03360-9.

Toxicity of carbon tetrachloride, free radicals and role of antioxidants

Several chemicals, including environmental toxicants and clinically useful drugs, cause severe cellular damage to different organs of our body through metabolic activation to highly reactive substances such as free radicals. Carbon tetrachloride is an organic compound of which chemical formula is CCl₄. CCl₄ is strong toxic in the kidney, testicle, brain, heart, lung, other tissues, and particularly in the liver. CCl₄ is a powerful hepatoxic, nephrotoxic and prooxidant agent which is widely used to induce hepatotoxicity in experimental animals and to create hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis and liver injury, chemical hepatitis model, renal failure model, and nephrotoxicity model in recent years. The damage-causing mechanism of CCl₄ in tissues can be explained as oxidative damage caused by lipid peroxidation which starts after the conversion of CCl₄ to free radicals of highly toxic trichloromethyl radicals (•CCl₃) and trichloromethyl peroxyl radical (•CCl₃O₂) via cytochrome P450 enzyme. Complete disruption of lipids (i.e., peroxidation) is the hallmark of oxidative damage. Free radicals are structures that contain one or more unpaired electrons in atomic or molecular orbitals. These toxic free radicals induce a chain reaction and lipid peroxidation in membrane-like structures rich in phospholipids, such as mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. CCl₄-induced lipid peroxidation is the cause of oxidative stress, mitochondrial stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress. Free radicals trigger many biological processes, such as apoptosis, necrosis, ferroptosis and autophagy. Recent researches state that the way to reduce or eliminate these CCl₄-induced negative effects is the antioxidants originated from natural sources. For normal physiological function, there must be a balance between free radicals and antioxidants. If this balance is in favor of free radicals, various pathological conditions occur. Free radicals play a role in various pathological conditions including Pulmonary disease, ischemia / reperfusion rheumatological diseases, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, kidney diseases, hypertension, eye diseases, neurological disorders, diabetes and aging. Free radicals are antagonized by antioxidants and quenched. Antioxidants do not only remove free radicals, but they also have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antithrombotic, antiviral, and anti-carcinogenic activities. Antioxidants contain high phenol compounds and antioxidants have relatively low side effects compared to synthetic drugs. The antioxidants investigated in CCI₄ toxicity are usually antioxidants from plants and are promising because of their rich resources and low side effects. Data were investigated using PubMed, EBSCO, Embase, Web of Science, DOAJ, Scopus and Google Scholar, Carbon tetrachloride, carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity, oxidative stress, and free radical keywords. This study aims to enlighten the damage-causing mechanism created by free radicals which are produced by CCl₄ on tissues/cells and to discuss the role of antioxidants in the prevention of tissue/cell damage. In the future, Antioxidants can be used as a therapeutic strategy to strengthen effective treatment against substances with high toxicity such as CCl₄ and increase the antioxidant capacity of cells.

An updated review of protective effects of rosemary and its active constituents against natural and chemical toxicities

Natural and chemical toxic agents cause severe adverse effects on people's health in a variety of exposing ways. Herbal medications have taken into consideration as alternative safe treatments for toxicities. Rosmarinus officinalis also known as rosemary belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Rosemary and its constituents including carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid, and carnosol have a lot of benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-bacterial, antiviral, antinociceptive, and neuroprotective activities. In this literate review, we focused on the protective effects of rosemary and its main compounds against natural and chemical toxicities in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The protective effects of rosemary and its components are mostly mediated through different mechanisms such as the inhibition of oxidative stress, reduction of inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nuclear factor ĸB (NF-ĸB) as well as the modulation of apoptosis and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways.

Rutin ameliorates carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatorenal toxicity and hypogonadism in male rats

Rutin, a food derived-polyphenolic bioflavonoid, has been acknowledged for several health benefits. This study aims to explore the ameliorative effects of rutin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) toxicity in male rats. Adult male rats were given either CCl4 (30% in olive oil, 3 ml/kg b.w. intraperitoneally) alone or in combination with rutin (70 mg/kg intragastrically) twice a week for 4 weeks. Our data showed that rutin mitigated CCl4 hepatorenal damage, as indicated by diagnostic markers (i.e., transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, urea, uric acid and creatinine), and histopathological findings. In addition, CCl4 induced profound elevation of free radical generation and oxidative stress, as evidenced by increasing lipid peroxidation and reducing catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in liver, kidney and testicular tissues; these effects were suppressed by coexposure with rutin. Moreover, the increase in the levels of serum triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol induced by CCl4 was effectively counteracted by rutin. The decrease in the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the CCl4 group was also counteracted by rutin treatment. Interestingly, the decreased levels of hormonal mediators associated with sperm production, including serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, and the impaired sperm quality induced by CCl4 were reversed by rutin. Data from the current study clearly demonstrated that rutin supplementation could at least partly overcome CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and reproductive toxicity by antioxidant and antidyslipidemic effects.

Protective effects of Fraxinus xanthoxyloides (Wall.) leaves against CCl4 induced hepatic toxicity in rat

BACKGROUND

Leaves and root bark of Fraxinus xanthoxyloides Wall. (Oleaceae) are used locally for the treatment of jaundice, malaria and pneumonia. Decoction of stem, twigs and bark is used in pain, internal injuries, rheumatism and in bone fracture. In this investigation we have evaluated the methanol extract of leaves for its hepatoprotective potential against CCl4 induced hepatic injuries in rat.

METHODS

Powder of F. xanthoxyloides leaves was extracted with methanol (FXM) and subjected for the determination of polyphenolics through HPLC-DAD analysis. Sprague-Dawley (Rattus novergicus) male rats were divided into eight groups (six rats in each). Group I: non-treated control; Group II: vehicle treated (DMSO plus olive oil) while Group III- VI treated with 1 ml/kg body weight (bw) of CCl4 (30 % in olive oil) for 30 days (15 dosages) to induce the hepatic injuries. Group IV: treated with silymarin (100 mg/kg bw); Group V and VI with FXM (200, 400 mg/kg bw) on alternate days with CCl4 treatment. Group VII and VIII was administered with FXM (200, 400 mg/kg bw) alone (15 dosages). After 30 days the serum was evaluated for liver function enzymes and biochemical markers, liver samples for antioxidant enzymes, biochemical markers, comet assay and for histopathology.

RESULTS

HPLC-DAD analysis of FXM revealed the existence of rutin and caffeic acid. In CCl4 treated rats the level of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total bilirubin was significantly increased while the albumin concentration in serum was decreased as compared to control group. The level of hepatic antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GSR) was significantly decreased against the control group. Further, significant decrease in GSH while increase in lipid peroxides (TBARS), H2O2, DNA damages and comet length was induced with CCl4 in hepatic tissues of rat. In contrast, co-administration of FXM and silymarin restored the biochemical and histopathological status of the liver.

CONCLUSION

Results of present investigation revealed that F. xanthoxyloides leaves possibly protect the liver against CCl4 induced injuries like silymarin by its antioxidant constituents.

Protective effects of Monotheca buxifolia fruit on renal toxicity induced by CCl4 in rats

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress is believed to be a root cause of various degenerative and fibrotic disorders. Dietary foods enrich in antioxidants can cure or curtail the progression of oxidative stress induced disorders. Fruit of Monotheca buxifolia is used locally for digestive and urinary tract disorders. We have evaluated the protective potential of the methanol extract of M. buxifolia (MBM) in rat exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) toxicity.

METHODS

Powder of the dried fruit of M. buxifolia was extracted twice with 95 % methanol to get the extract (MBM). Presence of polyphenolic constituents was detected by HPLC-DAD (High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detection) analysis. Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided in to six groups with six rats in each. Animals of Group I were kept control, while rats of Group II - Group V were treated intraperitoneally with 1 ml/kg body weight (bw) of CCl4 (30 % v/v; olive oil) 15 dosages in 30 days. Animals of Group III were orally administered silymarin (50 mg/kg bw) while Group IV and V with 200 and 400 mg/kg of MBM on next day of CCl4 treatment. Rats of Group VI were administered only with 400 mg/kg bw of MBM. Biochemical markers of the urine and serum were analyzed. Level of antioxidant enzymes, DNA damages lipid peroxides (TBARS), H2O2 and nitrite was assessed in renal tissues of rat. Histopathological changes in renal tissues of rat were also recorded.

RESULTS

HPLC-DAD analysis of MBM indicated the existence of gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid and rutin. MBM administration significantly alleviated the toxic effect of CCl4 in rat and decreased the elevated level of RBCs, pus and epithelial cells, specific gravity, creatinine, urobilinogen, urea and albumin while increased the pH and urinary protein. Increase in the level of urobilinogen, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urea and total bilirubin while decrease of albumin and total protein in serum was restored by the administration of MBM to CCl4 fed rat. Administration of MBM to CCl4 exposed rats significantly increased the activity level of phase I and phase II enzymes and GSH while decreased the level of TBARS, H2O2, nitrite and DNA damages in renal tissues of rat. Furthermore, histopathological alterations induced with CCl4 in renal tissues of rat were also diminished with the administration of MBM.

CONCLUSION

Restoration of various parameters induced with toxic insult of CCl4 in rat suggests the antioxidant and repairing potential of M. buxifolia fruit in kidney disorders.

Proficiencies of Artemisia scoparia against CCl4 induced DNA damages and renal toxicity in rat

BACKGROUND

Artemisia scoparia is traditionally used in the local system of medicine in kidney disorders. This study aimed at scrutinizing the nephroprotective prospective of A. scoparia methanol extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) provoked DNA damages and oxidative stress in kidneys of rat.

METHODS

Dried aerial parts of A. scoparia were powdered and extracted with methanol to obtain the viscous material (ASM). Sprague Dawley male rats (42) were grouped (7) having 6 rats in each. Group I remained untreated and Group II treated intraperitoneally (i.p) with DMSO + olive oil (1 ml/kg body weight (bw). Rats of Group III - VI were treated with CCl4 (1 ml/kg bw; i.p 30 % v/v in olive oil). Animals of Group IV were co-administered with 100 mg/kg bw of silymarin whereas rats of Group V and VI with 150 mg/kg bw and 300 mg/kg bw of ASM at an interval of 48 h for four weeks. Animals of Group VII were administered with ASM (300 mg/kg bw) alone. DNA damages were investigated with comet assay in renal tissues while the oxidative injuries were estimated in serum and renal tissues.

RESULTS

Co-administration of ASM to rats significantly reduced the DNA damages at 300 mg/kg dose as indicated in comet length (40.80 ± 2.60 μm), head length (34.70 ± 2.21 μm), tail length (7.43 ± 1.24 μm) and DNA content in head (88.03 ± 2.27 %) to that of CCl4 for comet length (63.16 ± 2.11 μm), head length (23.29 ± 1.50 μm), tail length (39.21 ± 2.81 μm) and DNA content of head (74.81 ± 2.18 %) in renal cell's nuclei. Increased level of urea, creatinine, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen whereas decreased concentration of proteins in serum of CCl4 treated animals were restored towards the normal level with co-administration of ASM. CCl4 injection in rats decreased the activity level of CAT, POD, SOD, GST and γ-GT and GSH contents while elevated levels of TBARS, H2O2 and nitrite contents were observed in renal tissues. A noteworthy retrieval of all these parameters and the altered histopathological observations was notified near to the normal values after treatment with both the doses of ASM.

CONCLUSION

Results obtained suggested the therapeutic role of ASM in oxidative stress related disorder of kidneys.

Amelioration of carbon tetrachloride-induced pulmonary toxicity with Oxalis corniculata

This research work was planned to investigate the antioxidant potential of methanolic crude extract of Oxalis corniculata (OCME) against lung injuries initiated by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats at histological and biochemical level. A total of 42 female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly distributed in to seven groups and each group comprised of six rats. Experiment was completed in 22 days (10 doses at alternate days). Group I was not treated (control rats), while group II was administered with vehicles (olive oil and dimethyl sulfoxide), groups III, IV, and V were treated with 1 ml kg(-1) body weight (b.w.) of CCl4 (20% in olive oil). Group III received only CCl4, whereas groups IV and V were administered with 100 and 200 mg kg(-1) b.w. of OCME, respectively. Group VI was administered with OCME (200 mg kg(-1) b.w.) alone. Group VII was treated with sylimarin (50 mg kg(-1) b.w.). CCl4 enhanced the lipid peroxidation while reduced the glutathione in lung samples. Activities of antioxidant enzymes, catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-S-transferase decreased in lung homogenates with CCl4. Treatment of CCl4 induced deleterious changes in the microanatomy of lungs by rupturing the alveolar septa, thickening of alveolar walls, and damaging the cells with subsequent collapse of blood vessels due to the accumulation of degenerated blood cells. OCME, dose dependently, prevented the alterations in these parameters. These results suggest that OCME protected the lungs due to its intrinsic properties by scavenging of free radicals generated by CCl4.

In vivo antioxidant effect of aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves extracts of Vitex doniana in CCl4 induced liver damage rats

OBJECTIVE

The antioxidant effects of aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves of Vitex doniana (V. doniana) were evaluated 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 (148 mg·ml(-1)·kg(-1) 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 V. doniana and vitamin E as standard drug (100 mg/kg body weighy 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 three weeks.

RESULTS

The liver of CCl4 induced not treated group showed that the induction with CCl4, significantly (P<0.05) increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and significantly (P<0.05) decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). However there was no significant (P>0.05) difference between TBARS, SOD and CAT in the liver of the induced treated groups and normal control group. In the kidney, TBARS showed no significant (P>0.05) difference between the normal and the induced groups, SOD was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the CCl4 group compared to standard drug and normal control groups, CAT was significantly (P<0.05) increased in root and vitamin E groups when compared to induced not treated group. The studies also showed that when the extracts were administered to normal animals, there was no significant (P>0.05) change in the liver and kidney level of TBARS, SOD and CAT compared with the normal control except in the kidney of animals treated with stem extract where TBARS was significantly (P<0.05) lowered compared to control group.

CONCLUSION

The result of the present study suggests that application of V. doniana plant would play an important role in increasing the antioxidant effect and reducing the oxidative damage that formed both in liver and in kidney tissues. However stem bark has potential to improve renal function in normal rats.

Ursolic acid ameliorates carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative DNA damage and inflammation in mouse kidney by inhibiting the STAT3 and NF-κB activities

Ursolic acid (UA), a common pentacyclic triterpenoid compound, has been reported to have many benefits and medicinal properties. However, its protective effects against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced injury in kidneys are not yet clear. In the current report, we investigated whether UA inhibited the oxidative stress and inflammation in the kidneys of CCl4 treated mice. Male ICR mice were injected with CCl4 with or without UA co-administration (25 and 50mg/kg intragastrically once daily) for six weeks. Our data showed that UA significantly prevented CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, indicated by both diagnostic indicators of kidney damage and histopathological analysis. Moreover, CCl4-induced profound elevation of ROS and oxidative stress, as evidenced by the increase of lipid peroxidation level and the depletion of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level in the kidney, was suppressed by treatment with UA. UA also decreased 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (one product of oxidative DNA damage) levels. Furthermore, protein expression by Western blot analysis showed that UA significantly decreased production of pro-inflammatory markers including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in CCl4-treated mouse kidney. In exploring the underlying mechanisms of UA action, we found that UA increased the phosphorylation of transcription 3 (STAT3), which in turn activated the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and the inflammatory cytokines in the kidneys. In conclusion, these results suggested that the inhibition of CCl4-induced inflammation by UA is due at least in part to its anti-oxidant activity and its ability to modulate the STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Investigation on flavonoid composition and anti free radical potential of Sida cordata

BACKGROUND

Sida cordata, a member of Family Malvaceae is used in folk medicine for various ailments including liver diseases. In this study we investigated, its flavonoid constituents, in vitro antioxidant potential against different free radicals and hepatoprotection against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in rat.

METHODS

Dried powder of S. cordata whole plant was extracted with methanol and the resultant (SCME) obtained was fractionated with escalating polarity to obtain n-hexane fraction (SCHE), ethyl acetate fraction (SCEE), n-butanol fraction (SCBE) and the remaining soluble portion as aqueous fraction (SCAE). Diverse in vitro antioxidants assays such as DPPH, H2O2, •OH, ABTS, β-carotene bleaching assay, superoxide radical, lipid peroxidation, reducing power, and total antioxidant capacity were studied to assess scavenging potential of methanol extract and its derived fractions. On account of marked scavenging activity SCEE was selected to investigate the hepatoprotective potential against CCl4 induced toxicity in Sprague-Dawley male rats by assessing the level of serum markers (alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin, and γ-glutamyltransferase) and of liver antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), glutathione-S-transfers (GST), glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS). Histology of the liver was performed to study alteration in histoarchitecture. Existence of active flavonoids was established by thin layer chromatographic studies.

RESULTS

Considerable amount of flavonoid and phenolic contents were recorded in the methanol extract and its derived fractions. Although the extract and all its derived fractions exhibited good antioxidant activities however, the most distinguished scavenging potential was observed for SCEE. Treatment of SCEE decreased the elevated level of serum marker enzymes induced with CCl4 administration whereas increased the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, POD, GST, GSR and GSH-Px). Hepatic concentration of GSH was increased while lipid peroxidation was decreased with SCEE administration in CCl4 intoxicated rats. Presence of apigenin with some unknown compounds was observed in SCEE by using thin layer chromatography.

CONCLUSIONS

These results revealed the presence of some bioactive compound in the ethyl acetate fraction, confirming the utility of S. cordata against liver diseases in folk medicine.