Protective effect of Tetracera scandens L. leaf extract against CCl4-induced acute liver injury in rats

Preventive Effects of Mandarin Fruit Peel Hydroethanolic Extract, Hesperidin, and Quercetin on Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatonephrotoxicity in Wistar Rats

Acetaminophen, also known as N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (NAPAP), is a traditional antipyretic and analgesic that is used extensively around the world to treat colds and fevers. However, a NAPAP excess causes rapid, severe liver and kidney damage. The goal of the study was to examine the protective effects and determine the mechanisms of action of MPHE, hesperidin, and quercetin in NAPAP-induced hepatorenal damage in Wistar rats. Male Wistar rats received a 0.5 g/kg oral supplement of NAPAP every other day for a period of four weeks. During the same period of NAPAP supplementation, MPHE (50 mg/kg), quercetin (20 mg/kg), and hesperidin (20 mg/kg) were administered to rats receiving NAPAP. MPHE, quercetin, and hesperidin treatments significantly improved liver function in NAPAP-supplemented rats. The high serum levels of aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and γ-glutamyl transferase as well as total bilirubin were significantly reduced, while the levels of suppressed serum albumin were significantly increased, demonstrating this improvement. Treatments utilizing these natural substances significantly enhanced kidney function as seen by a considerable decline in the increased blood levels of urea, uric acid, and creatinine. Additionally, the injection of MPHE, hesperidin, and quercetin resulted in a decrease in the quantity of lipid peroxides while increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase in the liver and kidneys. The treatments markedly abated the NAPAP-induced liver and kidney histological perturbations and reduced the NAPAP-induced serum tumor necrosis factor-α level and liver and kidney proapoptotic protein 53 and caspase 3 expressions. Otherwise, serum interleukin-4 level significantly increased by treatments. The MPHE, hesperidin, and quercetin treatments resulted in marked decrease in liver and kidney histopathological scores including inflammation, necrosis, apoptosis, and congestion. In conclusion, the MPHE, quercetin, and hesperidin may induce hepatonephropreventive impacts in NAPAP-supplemented rats via enhancing the antioxidant defense system, anti-inflammatory activity, and antiapoptotic action.

Traditional Uses, Nutritional and Pharmacological Potentials of Clerodendrum volubile

Clerodendrum volubile is an underutilized leafy vegetable consumed in some parts of Nigeria. The interest in C. volubile has continued to increase due to its multipurpose values, including traditional uses, nutritional properties, and some therapeutic potentials; however, the pharmacological prospects of the plant are yet to be fully explored. Therefore, in the present review, different databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, etc. were explored to retrieve publications used to write this review. The pharmacological potentials of C. volubile, such as anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and anti-hypertensive properties, were highlighted. The toxicological potential of the plant is also discussed. Proposed mechanisms that underline its biological activities include modulation of redox homeostasis, leading to decreased oxidative stress; down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression; inhibition of key enzymes implicated in diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and neurological diseases; and inhibition of oxidative burst and inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, the prospect of endophytes from C. volubile as a bioresource to produce novel therapeutic agents, as well as the development of nanotherapeutics from the plant extracts and its phytoconstituents, are discussed. In conclusion, C. volubile possesses an enormous number of possible pharmacological properties and therapeutic potentials waiting to be explored.

Phytochemicals and biological activity of Tetracera scandens Linn. Merr. (Dilleniaceae): A short review

Tetracera scandens is a southeast Asian shrub that belongs to family Dilleniaceae. Over the years, different parts of the plant have been used for the management of different diseases, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, rheumatism, diarrhea, hepatitis, and inflammation. This variety of medical indications has attracted the attention of many researchers to this plant species, leading to the conduction of many research studies on different parts of the plant. These studies have confirmed some of the aforementioned activities of the plant, whereas other indications remain to be ascertained. This article is an attempt to summarize the studies conducted on T. scandens and to explore the isolated phytochemicals.

Investigation of α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Metabolites from Tetracera scandens Leaves by GC-MS Metabolite Profiling and Docking Studies

Stone leaf (Tetracera scandens) is a Southeast Asian medicinal plant that has been traditionally used for the management of diabetes mellitus. The underlying mechanisms of the antidiabetic activity have not been fully explored yet. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the α-glucosidase inhibitory potential of the hydromethanolic extracts of T. scandens leaves and to characterize the metabolites responsible for such activity through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomics. Crude hydromethanolic extracts of different strengths were prepared and in vitro assayed for α-glucosidase inhibition. GC-MS analysis was further carried out and the mass spectral data were correlated to the corresponding α-glucosidase inhibitory IC₅₀ values via an orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) model. The 100%, 80%, 60% and 40% methanol extracts displayed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory potentials. Moreover, the established model identified 16 metabolites to be responsible for the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of T. scandens. The putative α-glucosidase inhibitory metabolites showed moderate to high affinities (binding energies of -5.9 to -9.8 kcal/mol) upon docking into the active site of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isomaltase. To sum up, an OPLS model was developed as a rapid method to characterize the α-glucosidase inhibitory metabolites existing in the hydromethanolic extracts of T. scandens leaves based on GC-MS metabolite profiling.

Effect of co-administration of Bee honey and some chemotherapeutic drugs on dissemination of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

Alternative and complimentary usage of the natural compound has raised hopes of finding curative options for liver hepatocarcinogenesis. In the present study, the curative effect of bee honey against diethylnitrosamine (DEN) (50 mg/kg) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (2 mg/Kg)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in male rats in the presence or absence of some chemotherapeutic drugs, Cisplatin (Cis), Cyclophosphamide (CY) and 5- Fluorouracil (5-FU) were investigated. The obtained results demonstrated that treatment with DEN/CCl4 caused oxidative stress as assigned by the increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and fall in glutathione (GSH) content. Meantime detraction in the antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was observed. Also, the results showed induction of inflammation as reflected by an increase in the levels of both α- fetoprotein and α- fucosidase in the liver. This was accompanied by changes in the hepatic function biomarkers which characterized by the increased levels of transaminases (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-Glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) and decrease in total protein content in the serum. In conclusion, the combination of the selected drugs and bee honey may be an effective chemo- preventive and therapeutic strategy for treating DEN and CCl4-induced HCC.

Polyphenols of Salix aegyptiaca modulate the activities of drug metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes, and level of lipid peroxidation

Background

Salix aegyptiaca is known for its medicinal properties mainly due to the presence of salicylate compounds. However, it also contains other beneficial phytochemicals such as gallic acid, quercetin, rutin and vanillin. The aim of the study was to examine the redox potential, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of these phytochemicals along with acetylsalicylic acid.

Methods

The redox potential and antioxidant activity of gallic acid, quercetin, rutin, vanillin and acetylsalicylic acid were determined by oxidation-reduction potential electrode method and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, respectively. In ex vivo studies, antioxidant activity of these phytochemicals was determined by lipid peroxidation and carbonyl content assay in the liver of mice. Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by protein denaturation method. Six-week old C57BL/6 mice treated with gallic acid (100 mg/kg body weight) and acetylsalicylic acid (25 and 50 mg/kg body weight) to investigate their in vivo modulatory effects on the specific activities of drug metabolizing phase I and phase II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes and level of lipid peroxidation in liver.

Results

The order of ability to donate electron and antioxidant activity was found to be: gallic acid > quercetin > rutin > vanillin > acetylsalicylic acid. In ex vivo studies, the similar pattern and magnitude of inhibitory effects of these phytochemicals against peroxidative damage in microsomes and protein carbonyl in cytosolic fraction were observed. In in vivo studies, gallic acid and acetylsalicylic acid alone or in combination, enhanced the specific activities of drug metabolizing phase I and phase II enzymes as well as antioxidant enzymes and also inhibited lipid peroxidation in liver.

Conclusions

These findings show a close link between the electron donation and antioxidation potential of these phytochemicals, and in turn their biological activity. Gallic acid, quercetin, rutin and vanillin were found to be better electron donors and antioxidants and therefore, might be mainly responsible for the antioxidant properties of S. aegyptiaca, while acetylsalicylic acid provided its maximum anti-inflammatory activity.

Modulatory Effect of Methanol Extract of Piper guineense in CCl₄-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats

This study seeks to investigate the possible protective role of the methanol extract of Piper guineense seeds against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in an animal model. Hepatotoxicity was induced by administering oral doses of CCl₄ (1.2 g/kg bw) three times a week for three weeks. Group 1 (Control) and Group 2 (CCl₄) were left untreated; Piper guineense (PG; 400 mg/kg bw) was administered to Group 3 (T₁) by oral gavage for 14 days prior to the administration of CCl₄ and simultaneously with CCl₄; PG (400 mg/kg bw) was administered simultaneously with CCl₄ in Group 4 (T₂); and Livolin forte (20 mg/kg bw) was administered simultaneously with CCl₄ in Group 5 (T₃), the standard drug group. The administration of CCl₄ induces histopathological alteration in the liver, with concomitant increased activities of serum hepatic marker enzymes associated with increased levels of lipid peroxidation. Similarly, there was decrease in non-enzymatic (reduced glutathione) and enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione S-transferase), superoxide dismutase, and catalase. An elevation in serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels was noticed along with decreased levels of serum total protein. Treatment with PG 400 mg/kg bw exhibited excellent modulatory activity with respect to the different parameters studied by reversing all the above-mentioned biochemical changes significantly in the experimental animals. These results suggest that PG offered protection comparable to that of Livolin forte with better efficacy when pre-treated with 400 mg/kg bw 14 days prior to CCl₄-exposure.