Hepatoprotective effects of green Capsicum annum against ethanol induced oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Capsicum annum L. (CA) is used extensively as a spice and is a rich source of antioxidant vitamins. It has long been used in Indian, Native American, and Chinese traditional medicine as a carminative and an appetizer that normalizes liver function. However, its hepato-protective activity has so far not been studied.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of aqueous extract of CA at two different doses (125 mg/kg body weight and 250 mg/kg body weight), against ethanol induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in liver tissue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adult male Wistar rats, weighing 150-200 g, were randomly grouped (n = 6) and treated with ethanol (2 g/kg bw, i.p.), CA₁₂₅ (125 mg/kg bw, i.p.), CA₂₅₀ (250 mg/kg bw, i.p.), ethanol with CA (similar doses), and control (0.5 ml normal saline, i.p.) for 30 days. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduced glutathione content (GSH) in tissue homogenate, along with catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn-SOD & Mn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-P-D) activity were evaluated. Serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphate (ALP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (CHLS), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), tumour necrotic factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were also measured using ELISA kits. Histopathological evaluation of the hepatic tissue was performed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining. TUNEL assay was performed for apoptosis detection.

RESULTS

Ethanol significantly (p < 0.001) increased ALT, AST, ALP, TNF-α, IL-6, LPO, Cu-Zn-SOD, GST, GPx, TG, CHLS, LDL, VLDL levels, along with significant (p < 0.001) decrease in HDL, Mn-SOD, CAT, GSH, GR and G6PD activity. Co-administration of CA along with ethanol alleviated changes in the above parameters (p < 0.001) in a dose-dependent manner and also reduced the number of apoptotic death cells. Histo-pathological and histo-chemical studies of liver sections also ascertained the outcomes of this study.

CONCLUSION

Thus, it can be concluded that the aqueous extract of green CA can exert a protective effect against ethanol induced hepato-toxicity. The possible mechanism may be by acting as an antioxidant; preventing ethanol induced apoptosis and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.

PPARγ2 C1431T Polymorphism Interacts with the Antiobesogenic Effects of Kochujang, a Korean Fermented, Soybean-Based Red Pepper Paste, in Overweight/Obese Subjects: A 12-Week, Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Kochujang, a Korean fermented soybean-based red pepper paste, has been reported to have beneficial health effects. The aim of this study was to examine the antiobesity effects of Kochujang as a supplement in overweight/obese subjects according polymorphisms in the obesity-linked gene, peroxisome proliferator activator receptor γ (PPARγ2). Sixty overweight/obese subjects, who had body mass indexes (BMI, kg/m2) ≥23 or waist/hip ratios (WHR) ≥0.90 for males or ≥0.85 for females, were randomly assigned to either taking 32 g/day of placebo or Kochujang for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, anthropometric and metabolic parameters and body fat distribution (by computed tomography) were measured. After PPARγ2 C1431T polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism, the differences among the four groups (wild and mutant alleles in Kochujang and placebo groups) were determined. Between the Kochujang (n = 26) and placebo (n = 27) groups, there were no differences in body composition, insulin resistance, or antioxidant biomarkers before and after intervention. Compared to placebo, Kochujang significantly decreased plasma triglyceride (TG), TG/high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and dietary intakes of protein, sodium, and potassium after age, sex, and BMI were adjusted. The beneficial effects of Kochujang on lowering of TG and TG/HDL were weakened in subjects with the PPARγ2 mutant T allele with increasing subcutaneous fat area. However, the interaction between Kochujang and the PPARγ2 T allele improved insulin sensitivity. The obesogenic variables affected by the T mutant allele of PPARγ2 C1431T SNP were different in overweight/obese subjects in response to Kochujang.

Kochujang, fermented soybean-based red pepper paste, decreases visceral fat and improves blood lipid profiles in overweight adults

Health benefits of Kochujang (KCJ) and its bioactive compounds have been reported in several in vitro and animal studies.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of KCJ supplementation on body composition and blood lipid profiles in overweight adults.

METHODS

Sixty overweight men and women with BMI ≥23 kg/m2 and waist-hip-ratio (WHR) ≥0.90 for men and ≥0.85 for women were randomly assigned to a KCJ supplement (n=30, 32 g/day) or placebo (n=30, 32 g/day) group for a 12-week, double-blind, placebo controlled study. We measured anthropometric parameters, serum lipid profiles, abdominal fat distribution by computerized tomography and calculated the atherosclerosis indices in 53 subjects (n=26 in KCJ group, n=27 in placebo group) who completed the study.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks, the KCJ group showed a significant reduction in visceral fat (cm2) (p<0.05), although body weight (kg) and WHR did not change. Serum concentration of triglycerides and ApoB were decreased when compared to those of the placebo group.

CONCLUSION

KCJ supplementation (32 g/day) for 12 weeks in overweight adults showed anti-atherosclerotic and anti-obesogenic effects.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical trials.gov Identifier: NCT01532375.