Serum enzymes as indicators of chemically induced liver damage

The Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Potential of Berberine and Silymarin on Acetaminophen Induced Toxicity in Cyprinus carpio L

Berberine (BBR) and silymarin (SM) are natural compounds extracted from plants known for their antioxidant and chemoprotective effects on the liver. The present study aimed to investigate the beneficial properties of BBR and SM and the association of BBR with SM on liver function using fish as "in vivo" models. Moreover, the study investigated their hepatoprotective role after acetaminophen (APAP) exposure. For this purpose, the fish (N = 360; 118.4 ± 11.09 g) were fed with control or experimental diets for 9 weeks. In the experimental diets, the feed was supplemented with either SM (1 g/kg feed), BBR (100 and 200 mg/kg feed), or a combination of BBR with SM (SM 1 g/kg feed + BBR 100 mg/kg feed and, respectively, SM 1 g/kg feed + BBR 200 mg/kg feed). After the feeding trial, seven fish from each tank were randomly selected and exposed to a single APAP dose. The selected serum biochemical markers, oxidative stress markers, and lysozyme activity were used to evaluate the efficiency of the supplements on carp's health profile, particularly regarding the hepatopancreas function. Our results showed that the inclusion of SM and BBR (either as a single or in combination) reduced the serum contents of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and alanine transaminase. An increase in the high-density cholesterol was observed after the administration of BBR or BBR in association with SM. Both supplements showed hepatoprotective activity against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, especially BBR. The ameliorative effects of SM (1 g) in association with BBR (100 mg) were highlighted by the modulation of the nonspecific immune system and oxidative stress alleviation after APAP exposure.

Sodium alginate combined with oxymatrine ameliorates CCl4-induced chemical hepatic fibrosis in mice

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a challenging clinical problem. Both sodium alginate (SA) and oxymatrine (OM) can be used to treat HF; however, the influence of viscosity on the therapeutic efficacy of sodium alginate is currently unknown. This study used a CCl4-induced HF mouse model to screen the specifications and doses of SA and investigate its therapeutic effects on HF in combination with OM. Sodium alginate of different viscosities ameliorated HF in mice, with 232 mPa·s SA delivered at a dose of 100 mg/kg showing remarkable therapeutic effect, characterized by reduced aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase levels, reduced expression of α-SMA, collagen I, and other related genes, and increased abundance of beneficial intestinal probiotics such as Lactococcus and Blautia. The combination treatment further improved other related indices and increased the abundance of Phascolarctobacterium and Oscillospiraceae. These results suggest that the oral administration of SA may improve HF via the "gut-liver axis" based on the gut microbiota and has potential clinical applications.

Factors affecting the ORR after neoadjuvant therapy of TP regimen combined with PD-1 inhibitors for esophageal cancer

The aim of this study is to evaluate the factors affecting the objective response rate (ORR) after neoadjuvant therapy of taxol plus platinum (TP) regimen combined with programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitors for esophageal cancer, and establish a predictive model for forecasting ORR. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, consecutive esophageal cancer patients who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2020 to February 2022 were enrolled in this study as a training cohort, while patients who were treated in the Shaanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2020 to December 2021 were enrolled as a validation cohort. All patients were treated with resectable locally advanced esophageal cancer and received neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy. The ORR was defined as the sum of complete pathological response, major pathological response and partial pathological response. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors that might be related to the ORR of the patients after neoadjuvant therapy. The nomogram based on the result of regression analysis was established and verified to predict the ORR. In this study, 42 patients were included as training cohort and 53 patients were included as validation cohort. Chi-square analysis showed that neutrophil, platelet, platelet-to-lymphocytes ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), D-dimer and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) between ORR group and non-ORR group were significantly different. Logistic regression analysis showed that aspartate aminotransferase (AST), D-dimer and CEA were independent predictors of ORR after neoadjuvant immunotherapy. Finally, a nomogram was established based on AST, D-dimer and CEA. Internal validation and external validation revealed that the nomogram had a good ability to predict ORR after neoadjuvant immunotherapy. In conclusion, AST, D-dimer and CEA were the independent predictors of ORR after neoadjuvant immunotherapy. The nomogram based on these three indicators showed a good predictive ability.

Protective Effect of Nigella sativa Seed Extract and its Bioactive Compound Thymoquinone on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

BACKGROUND

The lack of a substantial breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes, a global issue, has led to an ongoing quest for herbs that contain bioactive elements with hypoglycemic properties.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the potential protective effect of Nigella sativa seeds ethanol extract and its active ingredient, thymoquinone, on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

To induce diabetes, the male Wistar rats were administered an intraperitoneal injection of STZ at a dosage of 90mg/kg body weight in 0.9 percent normal saline after being fasted for 16 hours and made diabetic Group 1; 7 rats non-diabetic control (saline-treated), Group 2; 7 untreated diabetic rats, Group 3; 7 diabetic rats treated orally with N. sativa extract at a dose of 100mg/kg body weight, Group 4; 7 diabetic rats treated orally with thymoquinone at a dose of 10mg/kg body weight and Group 5; 7 diabetic rats treated orally with Metformin at a dose of 5mg/kg body weight. After the treatment of 28 days, all groups were examined for body weight and biochemical alterations.

RESULTS

The results showed a significant decrease in blood glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid, total protein, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein, while high-density lipoprotein was increased. Hepatic enzymes, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphate were also normalized and significantly increased body weight.

CONCLUSION

These preliminary findings demonstrate that the ethanol extract of N. sativa seeds and its active ingredient, thymoquinone have a protective effect against streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The present study opens new vistas for the use of N. sativa and its bioactive compound, thymoquinone, regarding its clinical application as a new nontoxic antidiabetic agent for managing diabetes mellitus.

Establishment and validation of a novel prognostic model for non-virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective

The incidence of non-virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (NV-HCC) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is steadily increasing. The aim of this study was to establish a prognostic model to evaluate the overall survival (OS) of NV-HCC patients.

Methods

Overall, 261 patients with NV-HCC were enrolled in this study. A prognostic model was developed by using LASSO-Cox regression analysis. The prognostic power was appraised by the concordance index (C-index), and the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (TD-ROC). Kaplan–Meier (K–M) survival analysis was used to evaluate the predictive ability in the respective subgroups stratified by the prognostic model risk score. A nomogram for survival prediction was established by integrating the prognostic model, TNM stage, and treatment.

Results

According to the LASSO-Cox regression results, the number of nodules, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio (SLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were included for prognostic model construction. The C-index of the prognostic model was 0.759 (95% CI 0.723–0.797) in the development cohort and 0.796 (95% CI 0.737–0.855) in the validation cohort, and its predictive ability was better than TNM stage and treatment. The TD-ROC showed similar results. K–M survival analysis showed that NV-HCC patients with low risk scores had a better prognosis (P < 0.05). A nomogram based on the prognostic model, TNM stage, and treatment was constructed with sufficient discriminatory power with C-indexes of 0.78 and 0.85 in the development and validation cohort, respectively.

Conclusion

For NV-HCC, this prognostic model could predict an OS benefit for patients, which may assist clinicians in designing individualized therapeutic strategies.

The effect of iron sulfate nanoparticles and their fortified bread on Wistar rats and human cell lines

BACKGROUND

Ferrous sulfate nanoparticles (FSNPs) were synthesized and characterized to mitigate the undesirable effects of ferrous sulfate bulk particles (FSBPs) as a supplement or fortificant in health/food industries.

METHODS

The toxicity of FSNPs and FSBPs was evaluated against AGS, PLC/PRF/5, and HGF1-PI 1 cell lines. Then, Wistar rats were fed three levels of FSNPs and FSBPs fortified-bread. Growth performance, hematological parameters, and histopathological changes in treated rats were assessed after 21 days.

RESULTS

High concentrations of FSNPs (3.125 and 6.25 mM) increased the necrosis of AGS cells. A low level of FSNPs (1.57 mM) did not affect the viability of cells after 72 h. Fibroblasts did not show apoptosis and necrosis after exposing 1.57 mM of FSNPs. In rats, 9 mg elemental iron of FSNPs/day enhanced hemoglobin, PCV, and ferritin values and increased the body weight gain (p < 0.05). FSNPs fortified-bread induced no clinical symptom or histopathological lesion in rats.

CONCLUSION

FSNPs affect cells in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that FSNPs at the low level do not have adverse effects on normal fibroblasts and rats. Significant weight gain in rats having a low level of FSNPs compared to the FSBPs indicates the negligible toxicity of FSNPs at low concentrations.

Boswellic acid protects against Bisphenol-A and gamma radiation induced hepatic steatosis and cardiac remodelling in rats: role of hepatic PPAR-α/P38 and cardiac Calcineurin-A/NFATc1/P38 pathways

Bisphenol-A (BPA) and gamma-radiation are two risky environmental pollutants that human beings are exposed to in everyday life and consequently they threaten human health via inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and eventually tissue damage. This study aims at appraising the protective effect of Boswellic Acid (BA) (250 mg/kg/day, orally) administration on BPA (150 mg/kg/day, i.p) and γ-irradiation (IR) (3 Gy/week for 4 weeks up to cumulative dose of 12 Gy/experimental course) for 4 weeks-induced damage to liver and heart tissues of rats. The present results indicated a significant improvement against damage induced by BPA and IR revealed in biochemical investigations (hepatic PPAR-α/P38 and cardiac ET-1/Calcineurin-A/NFATc1/P38) and histopathological examination of liver and heart. It could be concluded that BA possesses a protective effect against these two deleterious environmental pollutants which attracted major global concerns due to their serious toxicological impact on human health.

Renoprotective and hepatoprotective activity of Lepidium draba L. extracts on oxymetholone-induced oxidative stress in rat

Misuse and abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) such as oxymetholone (OM) cause side effects such as male infertility, cardiovascular disorders, musculoskeletal, and hepato-renal dysfunctions in athletes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of Lepidium draba L. (L. draba) extract on OM-induced hepato-renal toxicity. Thirty adult male Wistar rats into six groups (n = 5) were randomly divided as follows: control (normal saline), OM (5 mg/kg/day), L. draba-treated (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/d) plus 5 mg/kg/day OM, and L. draba (400 mg/kg/d) groups. Normal saline, OM and L. draba extract were orally administered for 30 days. On day 31 of the study, hepatic and renal biochemical parameters were measured. Serum cytokines (IL-1β, IL-10, IL-6) tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide, levels alongside catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activity were evaluated. Also, changes in liver and kidney histopathology were evaluated. Finally, the anti-oxidant properties of the extract were determined. The results of this study showed that in the groups treated with the L. draba extract, hepatic-renal biochemical parameters improved and also the level of nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokines decreased and the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes increased compared with the OM group. These findings revealed that L. draba, due to its high anti-oxidant properties and high content of polyphenols (especially flavonoids), can improve OM-induced hepato-renal oxidative damages. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: L. draba due to its remarkable anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can protects the kidney and liver injuries against oxymetholone. These features are attributed to the presence of phenolic and flavonoid components. This fidings would be helpful to desgin new therapeutic agents for treating and preventing liver/kidney injuries.

Hepatoprotective Potential of Pomegranate in Curbing the Incidence of Acute Liver Injury by Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response

Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of the liver and is considered one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Due to its scavenging activity, Punica granatum may be used for the treatment and prevention of liver diseases. The current study investigated the protective mechanism underlying the effects of pomegranate against a rat model of carbon tetrachloride–induced liver injury. Intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ resulted in liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and accumulation of lipid in hepatocytes. CCl₄ induced a downregulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and melonaldehyde (MDA). Pomegranate protection was assessed in terms of biochemical parameters, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. Promegranate administration decreased inflammation, elevated serum enzymes and ROS production, and countered the debilitating effects caused by CCl₄. In addition, CCl₄-induced histological changes were absent in the crude pomegranate extract group, which also enhanced the scavenging activity of reactive oxygen species by enhancing the antioxidant defense mechanism as confirmed by detecting MDA, SOD, and GSH expressions. The migration of CD68⁺ macrophages was halted at the injured area of the central vein and the number of macrophages was reduced to the normal control by the crude extract compared to the positive control silymarin group. Likewise, protective effects of ethylacetate and the aqueous fraction of the crude extract were also observed. However, the butanol and n-hexane fractions displayed increased levels of ALT, AST, and ALP as compared to silymarin. About 25% damage to hepatocytes was observed in the butanol and n-hexane group by histopathological examination, which is a little better compared to the CCl₄-treated group. The crude extract and its ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions may be accountable for the hepatoprotective potential of Punica granatum, which was further confirmed by in vivo experiments. Together, these findings confirm that pomegranate exerts hepatoprotective activity against CCl₄-induced oxidative stress and liver damage.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the wound healing properties and safety assessment of two seaweeds (Sargassum ilicifolium and Ulva lactuca)

Seaweeds have been regarded as a reservoir of biologically active molecules that are important in the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of the present study was to explore the wound healing properties and to assess the safety of the seaweed Sargassum ilicifolium and Ulva lactuca. Enhanced cell proliferation and cell migration activities were observed in L929 cells treated with S. ilicifolium extract compared to U. lactuca extract treated cells and the control group. In-vivo experiments were conducted using five groups (10 in each) of Albino mice (BALB/c). Mice in group I and group II were treated (Orally, 100 mg/kg BW/day) with aqueous extracts of S. ilicifolium and U. lactuca, respectively for 14 days. Treatment group III received a topical application of the aqueous extract of S. ilicifolium (25% w/w) and ointment base (75% w/w) (2 g/kg BW/day, for 14 days). Group IV (Control) received an equal amount of distilled water, orally and mice in group V kept without wounds. The extract from S. ilicifolium showed stronger wound healing properties than the one from Ulva lactuca. Histopathological findings also revealed that the healing process was significantly enhanced in the mice group treated orally with S. ilicifolium aqueous extract. These findings show that S. ilicifolium species possess promising wound healing properties in-vitro and in-vivo.

A Nomogram Based on Aspartate Aminotransferase/Alanine Aminotransferase (AST/ALT) Ratio to Predict Prognosis After Surgery in Gastric Cancer Patients

INTRODUCTION

Using the TMN classification alone to predict survival in patients with gastric cancer has certain limitations, we conducted this study was to develop an effective nomogram based on aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio to predict overall survival (OS) in surgically treated gastric cancer.

METHODS

we retrospectively analyzed 190 cases of gastric cancer and used Cox regression analysis to identify the significant prognostic factors for OS in patients with resectable gastric cancer. The predictive accuracy of nomogram was assessed using a calibration plot, concordance index (C-index) and decision curve. This was then compared with a traditional TNM staging system. Based on the total points (TPS) by nomogram, we further divided patients into different risk groups.

RESULTS

multivariate analysis of the entire cohort revealed that independent risk factors for survival were age, clinical stage and AST/ALT ratio, which were entered then into the nomogram. The calibration curve for the probability of OS showed that the nomogram-based predictions were in good agreement with actual observations. Additionally, the C-index of the established nomogram for predicting OS had a superior discrimination power compared to the TNM staging system [0.794 (95% CI: 0.749-0.839) vs 0.730 (95% CI: 0.688-0.772), p < 0.05]. Decision curve also demonstrated that the nomogram was better than the TNM staging system. Based on TPS of the nomogram, we further subdivided the study cohort into 3 groups including low risk (TPS ≤ 158), middle risk (158 < TPS ≤ 188) and high risk (TPS > 188) categories. The differences in OS rate were significant among the groups.

CONCLUSION

the established nomogram is associated with a more accurate prognostic prediction for individual patients with resectable gastric cancer.

The toxic effects of spent crankcase oil exposures; systematic review and meta-analysis

The study sought to execute a systematic review and meta-analysis to describe the toxicological implications associated with exposures of humans and laboratory animals to Spent Crankcase Oil (SCO). Databases like PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PlosOne were searched systematically for all data that assessed the effects of SCO on humans and animals. For each parameter involved in the meta-analysis (those with extractable data), mean, standard deviation, the sample size was extracted for both exposure groups and control. This was then used to compute the standardized mean difference (SMD). Statistical analysis and forest plots were done with RevMan 5.3 software. Twenty-eight (28) studies fulfilled the pre-specified criteria for eligibility. Fourteen (14) of the studies were used for the meta-analysis, which included a total of 1243 subjects from different human epidemiological occupational exposure studies and animal experimental studies. The meta-analysis revealed that SCO exposure caused a significant reduction in the body weight of animals (n = 5, SMD; - 1.2; 95% CI; (- 1.78, - 0.67), p = 0.0001, I² = 22%), and in the red blood cell count (n = 5, SMD; - 1.28; 95% CI; (- 2.18, - 0.38, p = 0.02); I² = 78%) and haemoglobin (n = 4, SMD; - 1.12, 95% CI; (- 2.71, 0.46); p = 0.16; I² = 89%) in animal models. While there was a significant elevation of the aspartate amino transferase (AST) (n = 6, SMD; 0.76; 95%CI; (0.41, 1.11), p = 0.0001, I² = 89%), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (n = 5, SMD; 1.92; 95% CI; (0.02, 3.83), p = 0.05, I² = 92%), and creatinine (n = 4, SMD = 1.56; 95% CI; (0.05, 3.07), p = 0.04, I² = 90%) concentrations in comparison to the control. On the other hand, there was a non-significant effect on the alanine amino transferase (ALT) (n = 5, SMD; 1.13; 95% CI; (- 0.37, 2.62); p = 0.14; I² = 92%), urea (n = 4, SMD; 1.23; 95% CI; (- 1.18, 3.65), p = 0.32, I² = 94%), packed cell volume (PCV) (n = 5, SMD; 0.10; 95% CI; (- 0.36, 0.56), p = 0.67; I² = 47%); and the haemoglobin (n = 6; SMD; - 0.74; 95% CI; (- 1.73, 0.26), p = 0.15; I² = 89%) concentrations. Oxidative stress, heavy metals bioaccumulation, immunotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic effects were also in the list of findings. The toxicological implications associated with SCO exposure points to the need for immediate establishment of policies that regulate the disposal of spent crankcase oil in the environment.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43188-021-00093-2.

Polyphenol-rich leaf of Aphanamixis polystachya averts liver inflammation, fibrogenesis and oxidative stress in ovariectomized Long-Evans rats

Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) R.Parker, locally known as Pithraj, is a medicinal herb having enormous traditional applications. However, the scientific rationale underlying the ethnomedicinal claims was not well-founded. The current investigation aimed to explore the mechanistic insights of protective effects of ethanol extract of A. polystachya leaf (PT), given orally, on the chemical-intoxicated hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in Long-Evans female overiectomized rats. The GC-MS and HPLC-DAD analysis of PT revealed the presence of several bioactive metabolites, including polyphenolic compounds. Catechin hydrate, caffeic acid, syringic acid, epicatechin and p-coumaric acid have been identified and quantified in the ethanol extract of PT leaf. Intoxication with CCl₄ developed the oxidative stress, fibrosis and inflammation in liver of rats. Moreover, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitric oxide (NO), advanced protein oxidation product (APOP) level were found increased; whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in the plasma and liver were decreased in CCl₄ administered rats. Treatment with PT prominently mitigated the oxidative stress (TBARS, NO, APOP), and inflammatory (MPO) markers and improved the endogenous antioxidant enzymes (catalase and SOD) activities in CCl₄-intoxicated rats. Additionally, histological assessment confirmed the clear manifestation of inflammation and fibrosis in the liver of CCl₄-intoxicated rats, which was prevented by PT and silymarin treatment. In conclusion, PT treatment may protect the liver in CCl₄-administered rats, probably by mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis, and also augmenting the function of the antioxidant enzymes.

Potential Enhancement of Metformin Hydrochloride in Lipid Vesicles Targeting Therapeutic Efficacy in Diabetic Treatment

The potential enhancement of metformin hydrochloride (MH) loaded in lipid vesicles targeting therapeutic efficacy on alloxan-induced diabetic rats was investigated. This involved lipid vesicles formulated with homogenously distributed nano-sized particles by a novel integrated process of multiple emulsification by membrane and solvent evaporation. The average diameter of the water-in-oil (W1/O), W1/O/W2 emulsion droplets, and lipid vesicles was 192 nm, 52 µm, and 173 nm, respectively. The entrapment yield of metformin hydrochloride (MH) in the prepared lipid vesicles was 40.12%. The metformin hydrochloride-loaded lipid vesicles (MH-LLVs) sustained the release of the entrapped drug over a 12-h period and reduced the plasma glucose level of diabetic rats by 77.4% compared with free MH solution (2-h period and 58.2%, respectively) after one week post-diabetic treatment through oral administration of MH-LLV and the free drug. The remarkable improvement in the biochemical parameters recorded in the MH-LLV-treated animals compared with those that received free MH solutions depicted an enhanced kidney function, liver function, as well as oxidative stress status. Pancreatic histology depicted a pancreas with intralobular ducts (ID) and exocrine secretory acini that characterize an intact pancreas, which suggests the ability of the MH-LLVs to restore pancreatic cells to normal, on a continued treatment. Overall, MH-LLV appears an encouraging extended-release formulation with enhanced bioavailability, sustained release, and improved antihyperglycemic potentials.

Characterization and Hepatoprotections of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides against Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in Mice

Background

The liver is one of the most commonly affected organs in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). In recent years, there have been many studies on Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP), but the role of GLP in MODS is still unclear. The purpose of this work was to explore the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and protective effects of GLP on the liver in MODS model mice.

Methods

The characteristic properties of GLP were processed by physicochemical analysis. The MODS models were successfully established with intraperitoneal injection of zymosan in Kunming strain mice. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects of GLP were processed both in vitro and in vivo by evaluating the oxidative parameters, inflammatory factors, and liver pathological observations.

Results

The characterization analysis revealed that GLP was a pyranose mainly composed of glucose with the molecular weights (Mw) of 8309 Da. The experimental results proved that GLP had potential hepatoprotection possibly by improving the antioxidant status (scavenging excessive oxygen radicals, increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities, and reducing the lipid peroxide), alleviating the inflammatory response (reducing the inflammatory factor levels), and guaranteeing the liver functions.

Conclusions

This research suggested that GLP had the potential to be developed as a natural medicine for the treatment of multiple organ failure.

Govaniadine Ameliorates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Kupffer Cell Activation in Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Liver diseases such as hepatic carcinoma are one of the main health problems worldwide. Herbal drugs are largely used to treat liver injury in the indigenous system of medicine and may provide lead compounds for hepatoprotective drug discovery. The present study is investigated to test the Corydalis govaniana Wall. extract, fraction, and isolate therapeutically active constituents to explore their hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. For this purpose, the antioxidant activity of govaniadine, caseadine, caseamine, and protopine was performed by assessing the scavenging events of the stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. Hepatoprotection of govaniadine was assessed in terms of reduction in serum enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase) caused by CCl₄-induced liver injury in rats and by histopathological techniques. All the compounds showed significant antioxidant activity with a percentage inhibition of 92.2, 86.7, 85.3, and 79.7, respectively, compared to propyl gallate 90.3%. Treatment with govaniadine reduced the serum enzyme level down to normal levels in the CCl₄-treated group while inhibiting the increase of malondialdehyde, and the induction of superoxide dismutase and the glutathione level was upregulated. Histopathology showed ∼47% damage to the liver cells in the CCl₄-treated group; reduction in this damaged area was found to be better upon using govaniadine. Immunohistochemistry results showed that govaniadine as compared to silymarin has exceedingly decreased the inflammation by halting the CCl₄-induced activation of hepatic macrophages. In carrageenan-induced paw edema assay, govaniadine significantly alleviated the edema after 1-5 h at a dose of 20 mg/kg (26.00 and 28.5%), 50 mg/kg (22.05 and 27.0%), and 100 mg/kg (20.02 and 25.30%), respectively. The results of our experiments suggest that govaniadine showed antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity in liver injury. The hepatoprotective function of govaniadine may be associated to the scavenging of the free radical and attenuation of oxidative stress as well as inflammatory responses in the liver. Hence, govaniadine may be a lead compound for the hepatoprotective drug discovery process and further research is needed to find out their molecular mechanism of protection.

Ameliorative effect of alpha lipoic acid and royal jelly against the side effects of cyclophosphamide in liver of albino rats

Background

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a cytotoxic anticancer drug used for the treatment of neoplastic diseases. The present study aimed to examine biochemical, histological, and ultrastructural effects of CP on rat liver and determine the hepatoprotective effects of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) or royal jelly (RJ) against CP.

Results

The present study revealed that CP-induced significant increase in hepatic marker enzymes (ALT and AST), and elevation in malonaldehyde (MDA) was concomitant with a significant decrease of superoxide dismutase (SOD). It caused histopathological changes in the liver of rat including vacuolation, infiltration, degeneration, and necrosis. Ultrastructurally, the hepatocytes appeared degenerated with multiple small- and medium-sized lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. Kupffer cell showed a shrunken nucleus. Administration of LA and RJ resulted in an obvious improvement in the altered level of ALT, AST, MDA, and SOD activities when compared with the CP-treated group in addition to marked amelioration in histopathology and ultrastructure of the liver.

Conclusions

LA is markedly effective than RJ in protecting rats against CP-induced biochemical, histopathological, and ultrastructural changes. This protection may be due to its antioxidant properties and scavenging abilities against active free radicals.

Hepatoprotection by Traditional Essence of Ginseng against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Damage

The peroxide produced in the lipid metabolic process attacks liver cells and causes liver injury. Ginsenosides have been shown to have anti-oxidation abilities and to mend myocardial damage. This study evaluated the effect of traditional ginseng essence (TEG) in preventing chemical liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). Forty 8-week-old male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into five groups: control, liver injury (CCl₄), and TEG by oral gavage at 0.074, 0.149, or 0.298 g/kg/day for nine weeks. Liver injury biochemical indicators, antioxidant enzyme activity, and lipid contents in liver tissues were evaluated. The liver appearance was observed, and histopathological tests were conducted to estimate whether TEG-antagonized oxidants further ameliorated liver injury. The results show that, after supplementation of TEG for nine consecutive weeks and CCl₄—induced liver injury for eight weeks, the levels of liver injury biochemical indicators in animal serum decreased significantly, and, in liver tissue, antioxidant activity was significantly improved and accumulation of lipids was decreased. Pathological sections exhibited reduced liver lipid accumulation and fibrosis. As discussed above, TEG can increase the antioxidant capacity in the liver and the maintenance of hepatocyte function, protecting the liver from chemical injury and improving healthcare.

Does the use of different oil sources in quail diets impact their productive and reproductive performance, egg quality, and blood constituents?

The present study investigated the impact of dietary oil sources (soybean, corn, peanut, flaxseed, olive, and sunflower oils as sources of omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids) on productive and reproductive traits, egg quality, hematological and biochemical blood parameters of laying Japanese quail. A total of 360 eight-week mature Japanese quail were randomly divided into 6 groups fed for 8 wk on a basal diet included with 1.5% of different oil sources. Results showed that the highest egg weights and the best feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01) were recorded for quail fed diets supplemented with 1.5% soybean and peanut oil. The highest hatchability percentages (P < 0.05) were recorded for quail fed diets supplemented with corn oil as compared to the other oils. Furthermore, diets enriched with corn, olive, or sunflower oils had higher values of blood lymphocytes (%) compared to the other treated groups. Blood total cholesterol significantly decreased in quail fed on corn, peanut, flaxseed, or olive oil sources as compared to soybean or sunflower oil groups. Immunologically, the highest levels (P < 0.001) of immunoglobulins (G and M) were recorded for quail fed on corn or olive oil sources compared to other oil sources. Quail consuming olive oil–included diets showed a significant increase in superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase activities and a significant decrease on malondialdehyde level compared with those consumed the other oil sources. It could be concluded that varying the oil source can affect productive, reproductive, and health aspects of Japanese quail. Soybean oil showed good results regarding production aspects; however, olive oil was the best regarding health aspects.

Effect of Cynara scolymus and its derivatives on broilers: an updated review

Medicinal plants and their derivatives are human-friendly, nutritional supplements, and their use in the poultry industry is increasing today. Cynara scolymus is a very high-quality antioxidant medicine plant that has recently attracted the attention of poultry and nutrition researchers to supplement their rations and reduce feed costs. In the present study, the effect of powder and extract of C. scolymus on broilers has reviewed. This review shows that the impact of C. scolymus on production performance, carcass characteristics, liver enzymes activity, and meat characteristics of broiler chickens are not significant. However, the negative impact of this compound on these properties has not reported. Moreover, cholesterol levels reduced by the dietary C. scolymus supplementation. The impact of C. scolymus powder and extract on chickens' broiler immunity was not significant in the cited literature, but dietary C. scolymus powder increases Newcastle antibody titers and lowers blood pressure. Dietary C. scolymus under heat stress increased anti-sheep red blood cell titers. No substantial studies have conducted on the effect of C. scolymus on broilers. Therefore, it is not possible to determine a single dosage for the use of C. scolymus powder or extract in broiler diets to the improvement of the broiler characteristics. More researches are needed to determining the appropriate dosage to achieve maximum performance.

Lirioresinol B dimethyl ether inhibits NF-κB and COX-2 and activates IκBα expression in CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis

Background

Inflammation is one of the key components in the initiation and progression of hepatic diseases. If not treated, inflammation may cause cell dysplasia, and ultimately cancer. In the current study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of plant isolated compound Lirioresinol B Dimethyl Ether (LBDE) extracted from the seeds of Magnolia fargesii CHENG (Magnoliaceae) against HepG2 cells as well as in BALB/C male mice.

Methods

We assessed the antioxidant and anti-proliferative effects of plant compounds using DPPH assay and HepG2 cell lines. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) were used to induce liver cell dysplasia followed by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in BALB/C male mice for 12 weeks. We investigated the underlying mechanism by using histopathology and immunoblot experiments.

Results

Intraperitoneal injection of LBDE (50 mg/kg body weight/day) inhibited CCl₄-induced HCC. Free radical scavenging assay shows the strong anti-oxidant activity of LBDE. Western blot results show that LBDE down-regulated nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) by preventing the phosphorylation of I kappa B alpha (IκBα) in CCl₄ treated group. LBDE also improved liver function by decreasing Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Histopathology results revealed that LBDE decreased granulomas and express normal morphology of hepatocytes.

Conclusions

These preliminary results show that LBDE has the potential to inhibit CCl₄-induced liver cell dysplasia and prevents cancer development by regulating NFκB/COX-2 activation.

The ameliorations of Ganoderma applanatum residue polysaccharides against CCl4 induced liver injury

This work investigated the protective effects of Ganoderma applanatum residue polysaccharides (GRP) on the CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity. The results indicated that GRP showed significantly effects on preventing the increase of AST, ALT and ALP levels in serum, elevating the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT, decreasing the contents of MDA and LPO, and reducing the CYP2E1 and TGF-β concentrations in CCl₄-induced mice, respectively. Meanwhile, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly decreased, while the value of IL-10 was increased by GRP treatment. Besides, the western blot assay showed the IκBα expressions were significantly increased and the p-p65 was decreased by the treatment with GRP. The characterizations indicated that the GRP was heteropolysaccharide with lower molecular weights and α-furanoside residues. These results demonstrated that GRP might be a potential material for drug and functional food development against chemical hepatic injury.

Antioxidant capacity and hepatoprotective activity of myristic acid acylated derivative of phloridzin

The antioxidant activities in vitro and hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced acute liver injury in vivo of myristic acid acylated derivative of phloridzin (PZM) were investigated. The PZM was obtained by enzymatic acylation of myristic acid and phloridzin (PZ). The antioxidant capability of PZM in vitro was evaluated by the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), 2,2'-Azinobis- 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate (ABTS⁺·) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·) radical scavenging assay. Mice were intragastrically treated with control or PZM (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) for 5 days and intra-peritoneal injection with CCl₄. The enzymatic acylated synthesis of myristic acid and phloridzin was region-selective taken place on 6″-OH of phloridzin glycoside moiety and achieved 93% yield. PZM had a significantly higher total antioxidant ability, same scavenging ABTS⁺· ability and weaker scavenging DPPH· ability when compared to the parent PZ. The of aminotransferase serum activity and malondialdehyde hepatic activity were elevated (P < 0.015) after treatment with CCl₄, while the related liver enzymatic activities and glutathione concentration were lower. These changes were enhanced by PZM. Further studies showed that PZM reduced the interleukin-6 expression and stimulated liver regeneration caused by CCl₄. PZM attained good antioxidant capacity in vitro and had excellent hepatoprotective effects in vivo and better bioactivity compared to the parent phloridzin. The significance of hepatoprotective effect of phloridzin derivative against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in mice is an important and new finding.

In vitro/in vivo hepatoprotective properties of 1-O-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside from Moringa oleifera seeds against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury

1-O-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (MPG) is a phenolic glycoside that exists in Moringa oleifera seeds with various health benefits, whereas its hepatoprotective effect is lacking clarification. Herein, MPG was isolated from Moringa oleifera seeds, and its hepatoprotection against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in L02 cells and ICR mice was investigated. Toxicity studies showed that MPG did not induce significant changes in organ coefficients and histological analysis, as well as exhibited no cytotoxicity. In vitro studies indicated that MPG substantially increased cell viability and intracellular SOD activities, and significantly inhibited LDH leakage in CCl₄-treated cells. In vivo studies demonstrated that MPG significantly alleviated CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in mice, as indicated by diagnostic indicators of hepatic injury, as well as the histopathological analysis. Moreover, MPG reduced the lipid peroxidation levels and regulated the inflammatory cytokines. Notably, MPG substantially suppressed the significant elevation of ROS production in hepatocytes of mice intoxicated with CCl₄. Moreover, TUNEL assay demonstrated that MPG obviously inhibited hepatic apoptosis induced by CCl₄. Altogether, these results suggested that MPG has excellent liver-protecting effects against hepatocytotoxicity induced by CCl₄ in mice and L02 cells, which can be further developed as a valuable functional food additive or drug for the treatment of hepatic injury.

Effects of a blend of thyme, peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils on growth performance, serum lipid and hepatic enzyme indices, immune response and ileal morphology and microflora in broilers

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a blend of essential oils (EOB) derived from thyme (Thymus vulgaris), peppermint (Mentha piperita) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules) as a natural growth promoter. Five dosages (0 (CON), 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm) of EOB were added daily to the drinking water to determine its effect on growth performance, carcass quality, blood biochemistry, immune response and ileal morphology in Ross 308 broiler chicks. A total of 500, 10-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were allocated into five treatments with four replicates each. Inclusion of EOB at 150 ppm improved (p < 0.05) body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and production index by 11.73, 10.81 and 24.13% compared to CON respectively. The inclusion of EOB at 100, 150 and 200 ppm increased (p < 0.05) carcass yield and thigh muscle compared to CON. Serum concentration of hepatic enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) was decreased while the ileal villus height and ratio of villus height to crypt depth were improved (p < 0.05) in response to inclusion of 150 and 200 ppm of EOB compared to CON. The ileal Escherichia coli count was lower and Lactobacillus count was higher in EOB-200 and EOB-150, respectively, compared to CON at 21 and 42 days of age (p < 0.05). Antibody titre of Newcastle, bronchitis and infectious bursal disease was linearly increased (p < 0.05) by increasing supplemental level of EOB at day 4 post-inoculation. Our results suggested that supplementation of EOB at the 150 ppm into drinking water during day 11-42 could improve growth performance, humoral immunity and ileal morphology and microflora in broilers, and thus, EOB has merit to be used as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters.

Thiamin Regresses the Anticancer Efficacy of Methotrexate in the Amelioration of Diethyl Nitrosamine-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Wistar Strain Rats

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and occurs frequently in patients with liver cirrhosis. HCC is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality around the globe.Aim: This study assessed the effects of thiamin in the anticancer activity of methotrexate (MTX) in diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) induced hepatocellular Carcinoma in Wistar strain male rats.Method: Fifty rats were randomly segregated in five groups with 10 rats in each group. HCC was induced by single intraperitoneal (i.p) dose of DEN (200 mg/kg) and HCC promoter phenobarbital was used in the basal diet (0.05%) for 5 days per week until the termination of the study in all the rats except for the normal control (NC) group. Disease control (DC) was given no treatment, while DM (DEN + MTX) and DT (DEN + thiamin) groups were given MTX (5 mg/kg, i.p per week for 16 weeks) and thiamin (25 mg/kg, orally, daily for 16 weeks), respectively. DMT (DEN + MTX + thiamin) group was given the combined dose of MTX and thiamin. Histopathological study was carried out to confirm the liver function tests such as α-feto protein (AFP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total bilirubin (TB), and total protein (TP) along with antioxidants vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), lipid per-oxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT).Results: Results showed that liver biomarkers and antioxidants parameters were still abnormal in the DC group while DM group showed significant restoration, but DT group showed less significant normalization. DMT showed mild recovery of these parameters.Conclusion: The mechanism of action of MTX and thiamin is antiparallel to each other and hence their concomitant administration may lead to inefficient anticancer activity of MTX.

Protective effect of morin on doxorubicin-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats

Although Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widespread drug used in the treatment of cancer, its clinical use is restricted due to its common side effects. In addition, administrating DOX with an antioxidant has recently become a new strategy in preventing the side effects of DOX. The protective effects of morin, a natural flavonoid, against DOX-induced liver and kidney damage in rats were investigated biochemically, immunohistochemically and histopathologically in this study. The experimental procedure was planned as 10 days, and 5 groups consisting of seven rats were formed. Morin was given orally to rats at a dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg for 10 days and DOX was given a single dose of 40 mg/kg intraperitoneally on day 8. In order to determine the protective effect of morin against oxidative stress caused by DOX, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activities were measured in liver and kidney tissues. Liver and kidney tissue damage were determined both histopathologically and by serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), urea and creatinine analysis. In order to determine the effect of DOX-induced inflammation and against the effect of morin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) levels were determined in both tissues. Liver and kidney B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) levels were determined biochemically. In addition, Bax expression in liver tissue and aquaporin-2 (AQP-2) and nephrin expression in renal tissue were determined immunohistochemically. It was determined that oxidative damage caused by DOX decreased and improvement of liver and kidney function markers were observed in the groups that were treated with morin. In addition, pre-treatment of morin showed a regulatory effect on TNF-α, IL-1β and NF-κB levels. It prevented the increase in DOX-induced Bax expression and decrease in Bcl-2 level, AQP-2 and nephrin expression. Histopathological examination revealed that it prevented tissue damage in liver and kidney tissues.

Rutin protects t‑butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative impairment via modulating the Nrf2 and iNOS activity

BACKGROUND

Rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutinoside), a flavonoid, is predominantly found in the buckwheat, cranberries, mulberry and citrus fruits. It is used as a restorative in the preparation of herbal medicine, multivitamin and known to reduce the fate of heart attack.

HYPOTHESIS

We aimed to elucidate whether rutin attenuates oxidative stress and its possible mechanism of action in ameliorating the deleterious effect of t-BHP. We also provide evidence that rutin protects the antioxidant status of erythrocytes and liver via Nrf2 and iNOS pathway from oxidative stress.

STUDY DESIGN/METHOD

Human erythrocytes and mice liver were used for the evaluation of rutin's effect against t-BHP induced oxidative stress. The non-enzymatic (GSH, MDA, -CO, -SH) and enzymatic stress markers (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and GST) were estimated by the colorimetric method. The level of Nrf2, iNOS, liver marker enzymes, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, albumin, BUN was measured using ELISA kits. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was quantified using flow cytometry and fluorometry. RT-PCR was used for the quantification of Nrf2 and iNOS expression levels in the liver tissue of mice. In silico studies were done through receptor-ligand binding interaction.

RESULTS

Pre-treatment with the rutin ameliorated the toxic effect of t-BHP by modulating the basal level of GSH, -SH, MDA and -CO significantly (p < 0.01) with respect to untreated control. Rutin also protected the erythrocytes against the t-BHP-induced oxidative stress as evidenced by augmented activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GP_X, GR and GST). Furthermore, at the highest tested concentration (16.3 µM), it protected the morphology of the erythrocytes by decreasing the ROS level (p < 0.01). In addition, the lower MEF values of rutin (0.520 ± 0.005) alone or along with t-BHP (0.630 ± 0.021) indicated its non-toxic and protective behavior. The qPCR analyses revealed that t-BHP potently up-regulates the iNOS and down regulate the Nrf2 expression which was ameliorated with rutin treatment in a dose-dependent manner like silymarin.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that rutin potentiates its beneficial aspect by displaying a profound role in iNOS-Nrf2 signaling pathway. Accordingly, it may be concluded that the dietary factors wherein rutin is an ingredient could be helpful in the maintenance of the intracellular redox-homeostasis and thus may be effective against oxidative stress related secondary complications.

Alleviation of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatocellular damage and oxidative stress with a leaf extract of Glyphae brevis (Tiliaceae)

Background Glyphae brevis leaf is reported in ethnomedicine as a treatment for hepatitis and jaundice; however, no studies have hitherto investigated the mechanistic basis of these claims. Methods A hepato-protective role of G. brevis hydromethanolic (GBH) leaf extract was established against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity. Twenty-four hours after a CCl4 challenge, rats were sacrificed and serum hematological indices, lipid profile, and biochemical parameters were determined. The antioxidant enzymes parameters (glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) and lipid peroxidation product (thiobarbituric reactive substances) levels in liver homogenates were evaluated. Changes in the liver cyto-architecture of different treatment groups were also investigated. Results The GBH extract produced no significant impact on weight and hematological indices. Intoxication with CCl4 significantly (p<0.001-0.05) increased total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) compared with control rats. Pretreatment with GBH leaf extract significantly reduced triglycerides, TC, and LDL to approaching control levels (p<0.001-0.05). The GBH leaf extract significantly alleviated CCl4-induced elevation of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and the CCl4-induced depression of total protein, and albumin. Liver antioxidant parameters were significantly increased in plant extract-treated rats, and this antagonized the pro-oxidant effect of CCl4. Histopathological studies also supported a hepato-protective effect of GBH. Collectively, the GBH leaf extract alleviated the CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity through improvement of innate antioxidant enzyme levels and lipid metabolism and stabilized the hepatocyte cyto-architecture of intoxicated rats. Conclusions This study establishes the ethnomedicinal role of G. brevis leaf in hepatitis and the mechanistic basis of hepato-protection against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.

Protective effects of Gastrodia elata Blume on acetaminophen-induced liver and kidney toxicity in rats

An overdose of acetaminophen (AAP) causes hepatic and renal toxicity. This study examined the protective effects of Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB) on hepatic and renal injury induced by AAP. Rats were orally administered distilled water or GEB for 14 days and injected with AAP 1 h after the oral last administration; control rats were administered water without AAP injection. All rats were sacrificed 24 h after AAP injection. The GEB pretreatment group showed decreased necrosis and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the liver and kidney. TUNEL-positive cells and oxidative stress marker, such as malondialdehyde, were decreased. However, antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase, were increased. The expression of CYP2E1 and N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase was decreased in the GEB pretreatment group. This study shows that GEB prevents AAP-induced liver and kidney injury.

Hypolipidemic effect and protection ability of liver-kidney functions of melanin from Lachnum YM226 in high-fat diet fed mice

In the present study, we investigated the hypolipidemic properties of melanin from Lachnum YM226 (LM) in high-fat diet induced hyperlipidemic mice. After the hyperlipidemic model was established, mice were randomly divided into six groups, as follows: normal control group (NC), hyperlipidemic control group (HC), positive control group (7 mg kg^-1 d^-1 simvastatin) (PC) and LM groups (50, 100 and 200 mg kg^-1 d^-1 denoted as LM-50, LM-100 and LM-200, respectively). Subsequently, the body weight, organ indices, lipid metabolism, antioxidant properties and liver-kidney functions of the mice were examined. Moreover, the activities of lipoprotein metabolism enzymes in serum and liver tissue were examined to study the feasible mechanism. The results imply that LM could effectively reduce body weight, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and atherogenic index (AI), and increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Moreover, treatment with LM also increased the antioxidant enzymes activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content relative to the HC group. In addition, the liver and kidney damage indices such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and uric acid were lowered. LM administration also significantly corrected disturbances of liver-kidney functions with no fatty deposits in the liver, resulting in a protective effect against renal histological alteration. The hypolipidemic effect occurred partly due to the regulation of hepatic lipase (HL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in serum and liver to markedly decrease TG. This confirms the important role of LM in the prevention of hyperlipidemia.

Oxidative stress and hepatic injury induced in mice fed a Sarcocystis hirsuta cyst extract

We studied the toxic effects of a Sarcocystis hirsuta cyst extract fed to mice. Degenerative changes were found in mice gavage-fed fresh, frozen, and heat-treated S. hirsuta cyst extract. There were increases in the levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase as well as hepatic and brain malondialdehyde (MDA) levels along with concomitant decreases in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of mice receiving fresh and frozen S. hirsuta extracts. Gavage feeding of heat-treated S. hirsuta cyst extract had no effects on liver enzymes or brain MDA content, but the liver MDA level did increase. Mice in the heat-treated cyst group showed reduced CAT and SOD activities as well as increased hepatic MDA levels compared to those in the control group. These results indicate that an extract of S. hirsuta cyst can induce oxidative stress and hepatic injury, even after heat treatment.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Zerumbone against Paracetamol-Induced Acute Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Background

Zerumbone (ZER) is a major bioactive compound of Zingiber zerumbet, a wild ginger plant that has been documented to have anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. To investigate its hepatoprotective potential, this study was designed to determine the treatment effects of ZER on acute hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol (PCM) in rats.

Methods

The control group was administered with phosphate buffer solution (PBS) while the other two groups received PCM alone (1000 mg/kg) and PCM + 25 mg/kg ZER, respectively, at 0 h and 4 h after PCM injection. After 24 h, the blood and liver were collected for differential white blood cell count, liver histological observation and biochemical analysis including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total protein concentration in serum and liver.

Results

Treatment with ZER was found to significantly reduce ALT (P = 0.041), AST (P = 0.044) and total hepatic protein (P = 0.045) in comparison to PCM-induced rats. Rats treated with ZER exhibited the normal structure of hepatocytes with no vacuolisation or necrosis and showed significantly reduced neutrophil count (P = 0.037). This finding suggests its ability to suppress the inflammatory processes caused by PCM overdosage and decrease the hepatocytes tendency to go through necrotic processes.

Conclusion

ZER possessed protective activity against PCM-induced acute hepatotoxicity in a rat model.

Protective effects of Asparagus officinalis extract against Bisphenol A- induced toxicity in Wistar rats

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1 Bisphenol A treatment lead to histopathologic changes in liver and kidney tissues.

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2- Bisphenol A decreased the antioxidant capacities in rats.

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3- Asparagus officinalis alleviate the extent of oxidative status induced by BPA.

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3- Asparagus officinalis decreases the pathological change of liver and kidney caused by BPA.

Asparagus officinalis is an herbal medicine with remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihepatotoxic properties. The present study aimed to investigate whether Bisphenol A (BPA) could induce histopathological changes and oxidative stress in the liver and kidney tissues of male rats. In addition, we evaluated whether the co-administration of the Asparagus officinalis extract (AOE) could prevent the possible damages. In total, 40 adult male Wistar rats with the mean weight of 200 ± 20 grams were divided into five groups. Control subjects were placed in the first group, while group two was the vehicle (5 ml/kg bwt/day). Subjects in group three were administered with 400 mg/kg of AOE (bwt/day), group four received 10 mg/kg of BPA (bwt/day) dissolved in 5 ml/kg of olive oil, and group five received oral BPA and AOE daily for eight weeks. After the experiments, the blood, liver, and kidneys of the animals were collected and examined. Biochemical results showed a significant elevation in the levels of liver and kidney biomarkers in the BPA group (P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, malondialdehyde was observed to increase, while thiol protein and total antioxidant capacity decreased. Histopathological results of the BPA group indicated dilated and congested central and portal veins and inflammatory areas in the liver. In addition, renal test results showed casts in the urinary tubules and acute tubular necrosis. According to the results, the co-administration of AOE and BPA could increase the total antioxidative capability, thereby improving the function and structure of the liver and kidney tissues. Therefore, AOE is a potential protective agent against oxidative stress, liver, and kidney damage.

Biochemical and histopathological effects of the stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) venom in rats

The Reef Stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) is one of the most dangerous venomous fish known, and has caused occasional human fatalities. The present study was designed to examine some of the pathological effects of the venom from this fish in Sprague Dawley rats. Crude venom was extracted from venom glands of the dorsal spines of stonefish specimens collected from coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba (in the northeastern branch of the Red Sea). The rats were given intramuscular injections of the venom and acute toxicity and effect on selected serum marker enzymes as well as normal architecture of vital organs were evaluated. The rat 24 h LD50 was 38 μg/kg body weight. The serum biochemical markers; alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) increased after 6 h of administration of a sub lethal dose of the venom and remained significantly raised at 24 h. Amylase levels also significantly increased after venom injection. The venom caused histological damage manifested as an interstitial hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and necrosis. The demonstrated rises in the levels of different critical biochemical parameters in the serum may have led to the observed abnormal morphological changes in these organs. These results may account for some of the clinical manifestations observed in victims of stonefish envenomation. Thus, the presented data provide further in vivo evidence of the stonefish toxic effects that may threaten human life and call for the need for special measures to be considered.

Caralluma umbellata Haw. protects liver against paracetamol toxicity and inhibits CYP2E1

Introduction: Paracetamol is a potent hepatotoxin and may cause severe acute hepatocellular injury. The present study was intended to assess the hepatoprotective potential of Caralluma umbellata Haw. (Asclepiadaceae) (C. umbellata ) against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Methods: Preliminary analysis for antioxidant and hepatoprotective property was evaluated for methanolic (MCU), aqueous (ACU) and hydro methanolic (HCU) extracts of C. umbellata using in vitro cell-free antioxidant such as DPPH, ABTS, nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation models and cell-based hepatoprotective study using BRL3A cells. In vivo, hepatoprotective activity was studied in paracetamol treated male Wistar albino rats. Furthermore, molecular mechanism behind the protective effect of MCU was explored by RT PCR technique by utilizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) CYP2E1. Results:C. umbellata extracts especially, MCU showed a better antioxidant property. MCU offered significant dose-dependent protection against paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in both in vitro and in vivo assays by improving all the biochemical findings towards the normal range. In a mechanism-based study, MCU has offered significant down-regulation (p < 0.05) of CYP2E1. These findings were in line with the hepatoprotective activity findings where MCU showed significant protection. Conclusion: In conclusion, these findings suggest that MCU possess hepatoprotective activity. One of the possible mechanisms behind the protective effect of MCU is found to be inhibition of CYP2E1.

Umbelliferon-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(2I→1II)-α-Dglucopyranoside ameliorates Diethylnitrosamine induced precancerous lesion development in liver via regulation of inflammation, hyperproliferation and antioxidant at pre-clinical stage

It is well documented that anomalous production of inflammatory proteins linked with most of the toxic expression and genesis of diverse chronic disease including cancer. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) a well-known hepatotoxin and hepatocarcinogen, can induce oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction in it. Umbelliferone, secondary metabolites, is present in different plants and widely consumed by humans as medicine and food supplements. The aim of the current study was to scrutinize the chemoprotective potential of umbelliferon-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(2^I→1^II)-α-d-glucopyranoside (UFD) against DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in experimental rats. Single intraperitoneal injection of DEN (200mg/kg) was used for induction of HCC in rats and rats were grouped and orally treated with UFD (5, 10 and 20mg/kg) dose for 22 weeks. Parameters under investigation included hepatic, non-hepatic enzymes, oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines, COX-2 and NF-κB level along with histopathological examination in HCC rats. UFD exerted protective effect via reduction of oxidative stress, liver and non-liver parameters in a dose-dependent manner. It also reduced the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and COX-2 in diseased rats. Our result revealed the essential repression of the inflammation cascade through modulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway.

Glycosides Based Standardized Fenugreek Seed Extract Ameliorates Bleomycin-induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats Via Modulation of Endogenous Enzymes

BACKGROUND

Liver fibrosis a complex process of excess collagen deposition resulted in disturbance of hepatic cellar function. Glycosides based standardized fenugreek seed extract (SFSE-G) has potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic properties.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of SFSE-G against bleomycin (BLM)-induced liver fibrosis in laboratory animals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats (180-220 g) were assigned to various groups, namely, normal, sham, BLM control, SFSE-G (5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, p.o.), methylprednisolone (10 mg/kg, p.o.), and sildenafil (25 mg/kg, p.o.). Liver fibrosis was induced in various groups (except normal and sham) by single intratracheal BLM (6 IU/kg) injection. Various biochemical, molecular (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) and histological parameters were evaluated.

RESULTS

Intratracheal BLM administration caused significant induction (P < 0.001) of hepatotoxicity and liver fibrosis reflected by elevated levels of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total as well as direct bilirubin, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Administration of SFSE-G (20 and 40 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced (P < 0.001) levels of AST, ALT, and GGT and significantly increased (P < 0.001) the level of serum albumin. BLM-induced elevated liver oxidative stress and decreased total antioxidant capacity was significantly restored (P < 0.001) by SFSE-G (20 and 40 mg/kg) treatment. It also significantly inhibited BLM-induced alteration in liver Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) mRNA expression. SFSE-G treatment reduced histopathological alteration induced by BLM in liver.

CONCLUSION

SFSE-G exerts its hepatoprotective potential via inhibition of oxido-nitrosative stress and modulation of FXR mRNA expression thus ameliorates BLM-induced liver fibrosis.

CQMUH-011, a novel adamantane sulfonamide compound, inhibits lipopolysaccharide- and D-galactosamine-induced fulminant hepatic failure in mice

CQMUH-011, a novel adamantane sulfonamide compound, was shown to suppress macrophage activation and proliferation in our previous study. However, it is unknown whether CQMUH-011 has anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties. In this study, we investigated the potential effects and mechanisms of CQMUH-011 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cell activation in vitro and LPS- and D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in vivo. The results showed that in RAW264.7 cells challenged by LPS, CQMUH-011 inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, CQMUH-011 reduced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β production and down-regulated the overexpression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells. In vivo, CQMUH-011 reduced serum levels of aspartic aminotransferase and alanine transaminase and improved the mortality and hepatic pathological damage induced by LPS/D-GalN in mice. Moreover, CQMUH-011 significantly inhibited the serum levels of proinflammatory mediators, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂), and down-regulated the protein expression of TLR4, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases, NF-κB, NF-κB inhibitor α (IκBα), IκB kinase β (IKKβ), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible NO synthases (iNOS) induced by LPS/D-GalN in mice. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that CQMUH-011 has a notable anti-inflammatory effect and protects mice from LPS/D-GalN-induced FHF and that the molecular mechanisms might be related to the inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway activation, the subsequent decrease in proinflammatory mediator production, and the inhibition of macrophage activation.