Effect of raw and repeatedly fried mustard oil intake on metabolic and organ histological changes in Wistar rat

Fried dietary oils often cause adverse health effects due to altered chemical and nutritional properties. In the present study with mustard oil, the effect of repeated frying (180°C for 10 min, three times) on chemical characteristics and oral intake of raw and fried mustard oil (5 g/kg for 5 weeks) in Wistar rats were investigated. Repeated frying caused oxidation reactions and free fatty acid content in mustard oil. This fried oil feeding to rats increased serum LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and decreased HDL leading to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease accounted by significant increment of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) compared with raw oil-fed group. Higher level of serum CK-MB and creatinine in fried oil-fed rats indicate disrupted kidney function. Histological findings of the respective organs ascertained metabolic abnormalities due to fried oil intake. Thus, the study suggests avoidance of using repeatedly fried oils in food products for better consumer health. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Vegetable oil is a common ingredient of food products. Mustard oil is used in many countries both as raw and fried forms for various food preparations. When it is being fried at elevated temperatures in the presence of air, both thermal and oxidative decomposition take place which alter the nutritional and functional bioactive properties of the oil. The findings of the current study revealed the repeatedly fried mustard oil-induced detrimental effects on various organs of Wistar rats. Human beings consuming repeatedly fried mustard oil regularly might also face these acute problems. Thus in context to the public health issue, it is a message to avoid in taking repeated fried oils at household cooking or food industry to maintain better health.

Ameliorative impact of cold-pressed Rosmarinus officinalis oil against liver toxicity and genotoxic effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and their offspring

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic, lifelong condition threatening human health. Rosmarinus officinalis oil (RO) could have a future role in DM therapy. This study evaluated the composition and antioxidative potential of RO. Antidiabetic traits of RO in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was also studied considering the ameliorative impact against embryogenesis defects using in vitro and in vivo biochemical, histological, and genetic assays. RO was investigated for fatty acids and bioactive compounds (tocols and total phenolic compounds), and antiradical potential against DPPH^• radicals. The genetic effects were investigated using comet assay and DNA fragmentation test. DM was induced to albino rats by injecting 60 mg/kg of STZ, while RO (100 mg/kg b.w.) was administered. The pregnant animals were divided into four groups; control (C), RO-treated (RO), diabetic (D), and combined diabetic with RO-treated (D-RO). The study was conducted for 180 days. In RO, the contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and saturated fatty acids were 42.3%, 41.7%, and 15.8%, respectively. The levels of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols were 280, 20, 1,025, and 35 mg/100 g RO, respectively. RO contained 7.2 mg GAE/g of total phenolic compounds (TPC), while RO quenched 70% of DPPH^• radicals. While glucose levels reached the highest in DM rats, treating STZ-induced diabetic animals with RO-resoluted serum glucose levels. RO reduced the highest levels of serum chemistry parameters were recorded in DM animals. Histological photographs of maternal and fetus liver exhibited degenerated hepatic cells and congestion central vein. Comet cells and DNA fragments were significantly decreased in D-RO group comparing to the DM group. RO exhibited antidiabetic capabilities, and thus, it could be utilized as a functional ingredient in novel foods, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements for diabetic patients. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: RO is rich in bioactive phytochemicals (tocols and phenolic compounds) with antiradical and antihyperglycemic capabilities. Tocols and phenolics are active in radical scavenging of reactive nitrogen species (i.e., peroxynitrite and nitrogen dioxide), and in the prevention of DNA bases nitration. Our results demonstrated that RO could improve the disturbed metabolism of carbohydrate in STZ-diabetic animals. The potential mode of action of bioactive compounds in RO most likely encompasses the intracellular pathway involved in glucose homeostasis or insulin signaling. In addition, the suppression of oxidative stress by phenolic compounds could provide to the antidiabetic impacts of RO. Our data supported that RO could be utilized to ameliorate DM. Protection with RO directed high protection of the maternal organs and offspring against the oxidative stress of diabetes due to the antihyperlipidemic effects and the antioxidant capabilities of RO.

Chemical composition and hepatoprotective effect of essential oil from Myrtus communis L. flowers against CCL4-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats

Myrtus communis L. (Myrtle) is one of the most important aromatic and medicinal species from the Myrtaceae family. It is traditionally used as antiseptic, disinfectant drug and hypoglycemic agent. The aim of our study was to evaluate the protective effect of Myrtus communis essential oil (McEO) on CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in rat. Thirty two adult Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 each: (1) a control group; (2) was given a single dose of CCl₄ (1 mL kg⁻¹ in 1% olive oil. ip) on the 14^th day (3) were given during 15 days a daily i.p. injection of McEO at 250 mL kg⁻¹ b.w (4) a group was pretreated with McEO and intoxicated with CCl₄ on the 14^th day. The major components of McEO are α-pinene (35.20%), 1,8-cineole (17%), linalool (6.17%) and limonene (8.94%) which accounted for 67.31% of the whole oil. The antioxidant activity of McEO was evaluated using DPPH scavenging ability, β-carotene bleaching inhibition and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity. Moreover, the effect of McEO (250 mg kg⁻¹ body weight BW) administrated for 14 consecutive days was evaluated in wistar rat. Administration of a single dose of CCl₄ caused hepatotoxicity as monitored by an increase in lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) as well in protein carbonyl level but decreased in antioxidant markers in the liver tissue. The McEO pre-treatment significantly prevented the increased plasma levels of hepatic markers and lipid levels induced by CCl₄ in rats. Furthermore, this fraction improved biochemical and histological parameters as compared to CCl₄-treated group. Our results suggest that M. communis contains promising substances to counteract the CCl₄ intoxication and which may be efficient in the prevention of hepatotoxicity complications.

Myrtus communis L. (Myrtle) is one of the most important aromatic and medicinal species from the Myrtaceae family.

Hepatoprotective effect of hydromethanolic leaf extract of Musanga cecropioides (Urticaceae) on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury and oxidative stress

Objective

Natural antioxidant products are gaining popularity as treatments for various pathological liver injuries. Musanga cecropioides (Urticaceae) leaf extract is used in ethnomedicine for the management of jaundice and other hepatic ailments in Ibibio, Nigeria. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of M. cecropioides hydromethanolic leaf (MCHL) extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Methods

Liver damage was induced by administering CCl₄ dissolved in liquid paraffin (2 mL/kg bw 1:1 intraperitoneally) after pretreatment with MCHL extract for 7 days. Thereafter, acute hepatotoxicity was evaluated in 36 Wistar rats divided into six groups (A–F) of six animals each. Group A served as the negative control; B received CCl₄ 1 mL/kg only; C–E received 70.7, 141.4, and 282.8 mg/kg MCHL extract, respectively; and F received silymarin 100 mg/kg daily for 7 days by oral gavage. After 48 h, the rats were sacrificed, and samples obtained from them were assayed for histological and biochemical biomarkers of hepatotoxicity.

Results

The MCHL extracts significantly (p < 0.001–0.05) reduced the increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), conjugated bilirubin (CBIL), and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels induced by CCl₄ intoxication. There was no significant alteration in haematological indices or weight following administration of the MCHL extracts. Histopathological examinations revealed mitotic bodies in the 141.4 mg/kg MCHL extract-treated rats, an indication of tissue repair processes.

Conclusion

The MCHL extract has a dose-specific hepatoprotective effect; hence, the utilisation of this extract for the management of hepatitis requires caution.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of Spondias mombin leaf and stem extracts against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity

Objective

Spondias mombin L. is a tree used in folk medicine in Nigeria for the treatment of hepatitis. This study was carried out to comparatively evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of S. mombin leaf and stem (SML and SMS) methanolic extracts in a rat model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity.

Methods

Forty-two rats were distributed into seven groups. Groups A and B received water; groups C and D received 500 and 1000 mg/kg SML extract, respectively; groups E and F received 500 and 1000 mg/kg SMS extract, respectively; and group G received 100 mg/kg silymarin. Water, the two extracts, and silymarin were administered daily by oral gavage for 7 days. Hepatotoxicity was induced in groups B to G by the administration of CCl₄ once on the seventh day. After 48 h, rats were sacrificed, and tissues and serum samples were examined for histological and biochemical indices of hepatotoxicity.

Results

Administration of CCl₄ resulted in liver injury with significant elevation in the hepatocellular injury markers alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), and conjugated bilirubin (CBIL), associated with a significant reduction in total circulatory protein. Pretreatment with SML and SMS extracts at both doses significantly ameliorated liver injury; lowered ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL, and CBIL levels; elevated cellular glutathione levels as well as catalase and superoxide dismutase activities; and decreased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances.

Conclusion

This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the potential therapeutic benefit of S. mombin in xenobiotic-induced hepatotoxicity.