Protective effects of Baccharis dracunculifolia leaves extract against carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in experimental animals

Baccharis dracunculifolia DC Consumption Improves Nociceptive and Depressive-like Behavior in Rats with Experimental Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) persistently activates nociceptors, leading to chronic pain, which is often accompanied by the comorbid development of emotional impairments (anxiety and depression), an effect associated with microgliosis. Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae), a Brazilian edible plant, is an important source of active compounds with anti-inflammatory abilities. Thus, we evaluated its ability to reverse OA-induced nociceptive and emotional-like impairments in osteoarthritic ovariectomized female rats using the kaolin/carrageenan (K/C) model. Four weeks after OA induction, mechanical hyperalgesia was confirmed, and the treatment started. Control animals (SHAMs) were treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), while arthritic animals (ARTHs) either received PBS or B. dracunculifolia 50 mg/kg (Bd50) and 100 mg/kg (Bd100), via gavage, daily for five weeks. At the end of the treatment, anxiety-like behavior was assessed using the Open Field Test (OFT), anhedonia was assessed using the Sucrose Preference Test (SPT), and learned helplessness was assessed using the Forced Swimming Test (FST). After occision, microglia were stained with IBA-1 and quantified in brain sections of target areas (prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and periaqueductal grey matter). Treatment with B. dracunculifolia extract reversed OA-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and partly improved depressive-like behavior in OA animals' concomitant to a decrease in the number of M1 microglia. Our findings suggest that B. dracunculifolia extracts can potentially be used in the food industry and for the development of nutraceuticals and functional foods.

Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae) Root Extract and Its Triterpene Baccharis Oxide Display Topical Anti-Inflammatory Effects on Different Mice Ear Edema Models

B. dracunculifolia is popularly used to treat skin diseases. This work aimed to evaluate the topical anti-inflammatory properties of B. dracunculifolia root extract (BdR) and its major compound baccharis oxide (BOx) on mice ear edema models. BdR was analyzed by GC-MS, and BOx was isolated by chromatographic fractionation. Topical anti-inflammatory activities were determined by using the croton oil, capsaicin, histamine, and phenol-induced mouse ear edema models. N-acetyl-β-D- glucosaminidase (NAG) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, as well as NO dosage and histopathological analyses, were also evaluated. Phytochemical analysis of BdR showed BOx as one of the major constituents. BdR and BOx (both at 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/ear) significantly reduced croton oil, histamine, and phenol-induced ear edema, while only BOx was effective in reducing capsaicin-induced edema. MPO and NAG activities, as well as NO production, were significantly inhibited by BdR and BOx. Histopathological analysis confirmed the topical anti-inflammatory properties of BdR and BOx. Our findings showed that BdR and BOx demonstrated significant topical anti-inflammatory effects in mouse ear edema induced by different agents, suggesting their possible application on skin inflammatory diseases.

Acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity: An overview of the promising protective effects of natural products and herbal formulations

BACKGROUND

The liver plays an important role in regulating the metabolic processes and is the most frequently targeted organ by toxic chemicals. Acetaminophen (APAP) is a well-known anti-allergic, anti-pyretic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which upon overdose leads to hepatotoxicity, the major adverse event of this over-the-counter drug.

PURPOSE

APAP overdose induced acute liver injury is the second most common cause that often requires liver transplantation worldwide, for which N-acetyl cysteine is the only synthetic drug clinically approved as an antidote. So, it was felt that there is a need for the novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of liver diseases with less adverse effects. This review provides detailed analysis of the different plant extracts; phytochemicals and herbal formulations for the amelioration of APAP-induced liver injury.

METHOD

The data was collected using different online resources including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Springer, and Web of Science using keywords given below.

RESULTS

Over the past decades various reports have revealed that plant-based approaches may be a better treatment choice for the APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in pre-clinical experimental conditions. Moreover, herbal compounds provide several advantages over the synthetic drugs with fewer side effects, easy availability and less cost for the treatment of life-threatening diseases.

CONCLUSION

The current review summarizes the hepatoprotective effects and therapeutic mechanisms of various plant extracts, active phytoconstituents and herbal formulations with potential application against APAP induced hepatotoxicity as the numbers of hepatoprotective natural products are more without clinical relativity. Further, pre-clinical pharmacological research will contribute to the designing of natural products as medicines with encouraging prospects for clinical application.

Molecular pathogenesis of acetaminophen-induced liver injury and its treatment options

Acetaminophen, also known as N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP), is commonly used as an antipyretic and analgesic agent. APAP overdose can induce hepatic toxicity, known as acetaminophen-induced liver injury (AILI). However, therapeutic doses of APAP can also induce AILI in patients with excessive alcohol intake or who are fasting. Hence, there is a need to understand the potential pathological mechanisms underlying AILI. In this review, we summarize three main mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of AILI: hepatocyte necrosis, sterile inflammation, and hepatocyte regeneration. The relevant factors are elucidated and discussed. For instance, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) protein adducts trigger mitochondrial oxidative/nitrosative stress during hepatocyte necrosis, danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are released to elicit sterile inflammation, and certain growth factors contribute to liver regeneration. Finally, we describe the current potential treatment options for AILI patients and promising novel strategies available to researchers and pharmacists. This review provides a clearer understanding of AILI-related mechanisms to guide drug screening and selection for the clinical treatment of AILI patients in the future.

Herbal Therapy for the Treatment of Acetaminophen-Associated Liver Injury: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the leading cause of drug-induced liver injury worldwide, and mitochondrial oxidative stress is considered the major event responsible for APAP-associated liver injury (ALI). Despite the identification of N-acetyl cysteine, a reactive oxygen species scavenger that is regarded as an effective clinical treatment, therapeutic effectiveness remains limited due to rapid disease progression and diagnosis at a late phase, which leads to the need to explore various therapeutic approaches. Since the early 1990s, a number of natural products and herbs have been found to have hepatoprotective effects against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in terms of acute liver failure prevention and therapeutic amelioration of ALI. In this review, we summarize the hepatoprotective effects and mechanisms of medicinal plants, including herbs and fruit extracts, along with future perspectives that may provide guidance to improve the current status of herbal therapy against ALI.

Hepatoprotective effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid-enriched fermented Hovenia dulcis extract on ethanol-induced liver injury in mice

BACKGROUND

Various extracts of Hovenia dulcis have been commonly used in Asia for cases of alcohol-related disorders. Fermentation is reported to enhance the level and biological activities of various bio-constituents of plant extracts. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of fermented H. dulcis extract (FHDE) on ethanol-induced liver injury in mice.

METHODS

FHDE was prepared using Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus plantarum. The effects of FHDE on ethanol-induced liver injury were evaluated in C57BL/6 N CrSlc mice. A mixed feed preparation containing the fermented extract with and without ethanol was given to mice for 29 days, according to its group. At the end of the experiment, blood and liver samples were collected from all mice in the group. Plasma biochemical analysis and histopathological investigation were performed to evaluate the impacts of treatment on the biomarkers of hepatic damage and inflammatory changes. Besides, the expression of genes that regulate the activities of enzymes associated with alcohol metabolism, antioxidant activity, and fatty acid oxidation was assessed using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, the amino acid contents and the active ingredients of the extract were evaluated before and after fermentation.

RESULTS

Fermentation resulted in a marked increase and decrease in the amount of Gamma-Amino-n-butyric acid (GABA) and glutamic acid, respectively. FHDE enhanced the body weight gain of mice compared to ethanol. Besides, plasma levels of triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the FHDE-treated groups relative to the ethanol-treated control. FHDE upregulated the expression of genes associated with enzymes involved in alcohol dehydrogenation (Adh1 and Aldh2), antioxidant activity (SOD and CAT), and fatty acid oxidation (PPAR-α and PGC-1α). However, the expressions of Cytochrome peroxidase Cyp2E1 and genes related to lipogenesis (SREBP-1c, FAS, SCD-1, and ACC) were significantly (P < 0.05) downregulated following treatment with the FHDE. Histopathological investigation demonstrated a slight degree of inflammatory cell infiltration and occasional fatty changes in the FHDE-treated groups.

CONCLUSION

The GABA-enriched fermented H. dulcis extract prevented ethanol-induced hepatic damage by enhancing the antioxidant defense system, fatty acid oxidation, and reducing lipogenesis.

Treatment of anal fistula with Baccharis dracunculifolia extract. Experimental study in rats

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate the efficacy of Baccharis dracunculifolia extract in the treatment of anal fistulas in rats.

METHODS

twenty male Wistar rats were submitted to anal fistula and, after 30 days, were divided into three groups: Control Group, with five animals; Carbopol Group, with five animals; and Baccharis dracunculifolia Group, with ten animals. In the Control Group, no treatment was performed. In the Carbopol Group, a daily infusion of Carbopol was performed for 30 days. In the Baccharis dracunculifolia Group, a daily infusion of Carbopol plus Baccharis dracunculifolia extract was performed for 30 days. Specimens were taken for histological analysis after euthanasia.

RESULTS

there was no complete closure of the fistulous tract in any of the animals. The mean area of the remaining tract was of 847.2µm2, 565.6µm2 and 372.7µm2, in the Control Group, Carbopol Group, and Baccharis dracunculifolia Group, respectively, (p=0.001). The mean of the inflammatory process score was of 2.4, 2.4, and 2.1, in the Control Group, Carbopol Group, and Baccharis dracunculifolia Group, respectively, (p=0.285), while the mean values of vascular congestion were of 1.6, 1.4, and 1.1, in the Control Group, Carbopol Group, and Baccharis dracunculifolia Group, respectively, (p=0.031).

CONCLUSION

Baccharis dracunculifolia extract was able to reduce the lumen of the fistulous tracts and the degree of vascular congestion, without, however, reducing the local inflammatory process or totally closing the fistulous tracts.

Licochalcone B Ameliorates Liver Cancer via Targeting of Apoptotic Genes, DNA Repair Systems, and Cell Cycle Control

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a ubiquitous multifunctional protein required in the DNA base excision repair pathway and a noteworthy reducing-oxidizing factor that regulates the activity of various transcription factors. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) assume a key role in directing the progression of the cell- cycle. The present study evaluated the synergistic efficacy of using licochalcone B (LCB) and fullerene C60 (FnC60) nanoparticles against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinoma in rats and relevant signaling pathways, with APE1/Ref-1 and CDK-4, as novel anti-cancer- targeting. LCB alone and in combination with FnC60 significantly decreased DNA fragmentation, oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels), APE1/Ref-1, CDK-4, retinoblastoma, B- cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma-xL (Bcl-xL), and β-arrestin-2 mRNA expression, and APE1/Ref-1 and CDK-4 protein expression. In contrast, these treatments significantly increased the expression of protein 53 (p53), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and caspase-3. These data suggest that LCB either alone or in combination with FnC60 elicited significant protective effects against DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, which may have occurred because of the regulation of enzymes involved in DNA repair and cell-cycle control at S phase progression as well as the induction of apoptosis at the gene and protein expression levels. Furthermore, FnC60 potentiated the effect of LCB at the molecular level, possibly through targeting of cancerous cells.

Cellular and molecular effects of Baccharis dracunculifolia D.C. and Plectranthus barbatus Andrews medicinal plant extracts on retinoid metabolism in the human hepatic stellate cell LX-2

Background

Chronic hepatic diseases are serious problems worldwide, which may lead to the development of fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis. Despite the significant number of people affected by hepatic fibrosis, no effective treatment is available. In the liver, hepatic stellate cells are the major fibrogenic cell type that play a relevant function in chronic liver diseases. Thus, the characterization of components that control the fibrogenesis in the hepatic stellate cells is relevant in supporting the development of innovative therapies to treat and/or control liver fibrosis. The present study investigated the effects of Baccharis dracunculifolia D.C. and Plectranthus barbatus Andrews medicinal plant extracts in LX-2 transdifferentiation.

Methods

LX-2 is a human immortalized hepatic stellate cell that can transdifferentiate in vitro from a quiescent-like phenotype to a more proliferative and activated behavior, and it provides a useful platform to assess antifibrotic drugs. Then, the antifibrotic effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Baccharis dracunculifolia and Plectranthus barbatus medicinal plants on LX-2 were evaluated.

Results

The results in our cellular analyses, under the investigated concentrations of the plant extracts, indicate no deleterious effects on LX-2 metabolism, such as toxicity, genotoxicity, or apoptosis. Moreover, the extracts induced changes in actin filament distribution of activated LX-2, despite not affecting the cellular markers of transdifferentiation. Consistent effects in cellular retinoid metabolism were observed, supporting the presumed activity of the plant extracts in hepatic lipids metabolism, which corroborated the traditional knowledge about their uses for liver dysfunction.

Conclusion

The combined results suggested a potential hepatoprotective effect of the investigated plant extracts reinforcing their safe use as coadjuvants in treating imbalanced liver lipid metabolism.

Encapsulated Microparticles of (1→6)-β-d-Glucan Containing Extract of Baccharis dracunculifolia: Production and Characterization

β-Glucans are biomacromolecules well known, among other biological activities, for their immunomodulatory potential. Similarly, extracts of Baccharis dracunculifolia also possess biological properties and are used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, ulcers, and hepatic diseases. Microparticles containing (1→6)-β-d-glucan (lasiodiplodan) and B. dracunculifolia extract were produced and characterized. A 23 factorial design was employed to define the conditions of production of microparticles by atomization. Lasiodiplodan associated with maltodextrin and gum arabic was studied as a matrix material. Microparticles of 0.4 μm mean size and high phenolics content (3157.9 μg GAE/g) were obtained under the optimized conditions. The microparticle size ranged from 0.23 to 1.21 µm, and the mathematical model that best represented the release kinetics of the extract was the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Diffusional exponent (n) values of 0.64 at pH 7.7 and 1.15 at pH 2.61 were found, indicating particles with a non-Fickian or anomalous transport system, and Super Case II transport, respectively. Thermal analysis indicated that the microparticles demonstrated high thermal stability. The X-ray diffraction analyses revealed an amorphous structure, and HPLC-DAD analysis showed microparticles rich in phenolic compounds: caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and catechin. The microparticles obtained comprise a new biomaterial with biological potential for applications in different fields.

Hydroalcoholic extract from Baccharis dracunculifolia recovers the gastric ulcerated tissue, and p-coumaric acid is a pivotal bioactive compound to this action

Baccharis dracunculifolia is a medicinal plant native to southeastern Brazil and is the main botanical source used by bees (Apis mellifera) in the manufacture of green propolis and display similar gastroprotective action and chemical profile. This article reports the healing gastric ulcer activity of the hydroethanolic extract of B. dracunculifolia (HEBD) in an acetic acid-induced ulcer model. In addition to the extract, the isolated compounds ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, baccharin, and aromadendrin-4'-O-methyl ether were also assayed. HEBD at a dose of 300 mg/kg reduced the ulcerated area by 49.4% after treatment for 7 days, twice a day. Histological analyses revealed that the margins and base of the ulcer obtained significant regeneration, and periodic acid Schiff base staining showed a 78.2% increase in the mucin levels. The action on the enzymatic antioxidant system demonstrated an increased activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase, in addition to raising glutathione reduced levels and myeloperoxidase activity. HEBD did not show cytotoxicity in the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylterazole bromine test. In vitro, HEBD inhibited the H⁺ /K⁺ -ATPase enzyme and showed antioxidant activity in the 2,2 diphenyl-1-picryllydrazyl test. Regarding the isolated compounds, oral administration of p-coumaric acid (15 mg/kg) reduced the ulcerated area by 66.2%. The results suggest that HEBD recovers the gastric ulcerated tissue, raising mucus and antioxidant enzyme levels, and reducing the H⁺ /K⁺ -ATPase activity. In addition, the findings confirm that p-coumaric acid is a pivotal bioactive compound on the gastric healing effects elicited by HEBD. © 2019 BioFactors, 45(3):479-489, 2019.

Seed and bark extracts of Acacia catechu protects liver from acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity by modulating oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes and liver function enzymes in Wistar rat model

In this study we investigated the hepatoprotective effects and possible mechanism of Acacia catechu in acetaminophen (APAP) induced hepatotoxicity using female Wistar rat model. Hepatotoxicity was induced by oral administration of acetaminophen (750 mg/kg body weight) for 24 h. The seed (400 mg/kg body weight) and bark (400 mg/kg body weight) extract's treated groups exhibited hepatoprotective effects and was compared with well-known clinical anti-dote N-acetylcysteine (NAC). When groups treated with acetaminophen, significant increase of liver weight/body weight ratio, liver function enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and decrease of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were observed. The histopathology of APAP treated groups also showed moderate degree of sinusoidal congestion, centrilobular necrosis with polymorph nuclear cells infiltration, marked vacuolations and congestion. However, pretreatment with seed or bark extract groups decreased LPO accumulation, reduced the liver function enzymes and increased antioxidant defense enzymes. Moreover, histopathology of seed extract treated groups showed normal architecture whereas bark extract treated groups exhibited mild degree of vacuolations in the hepatocytes with minimal sinusoidal congestion. Taken together, our study concludes that A. catechu seed extract to be a more promising agent for protecting liver from APAP induced hepatotoxicity.

Hepatoprotective effects of licochalcone B on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in mice

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of licochalcone B (LCB) in a mice model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver toxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hepatotoxicity was induced in mice by a single subcutaneous injection (SC) of CCl4. The LCB was administered orally once a day for seven days (PO) as pretreatment at three doses of 1, 5, and 25 mg/kg/day. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were analyzed by ELISA. The protein expression degrees of p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38) and nuclear factor-k-gene binding (NF-κB) were assayed by western blotting.

RESULTS

CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was manifested by an increase in the levels of ALT, AST, MDA, IL-6, CRP, and TNF-ɑ, and a decrease in the SOD level and GSH/GSSG ratio in the serum. The histopathological examination of the liver sections revealed necrosis and inflammatory reactions. Pretreatment with LCB decreased the levels of ALT, AST, MDA, GSSG, IL-6, CRP, TNF-ɑ, and the protein expression of p38 and NF-κB, increased the level of SOD and GSH, and normalized the hepatic histo-architecture.

CONCLUSION

LCB protected the liver from CCl4-induced injury. Protection may be due to inhibition of p38 and NFκB signaling, which subsequently reduced inflammation in the liver.

A ratiometric fluorescent probe for in vivo tracking of alkaline phosphatase level variation resulting from drug-induced organ damage

Clinical drug-induced organ toxicity and damage have been recognized as an important public health issue, and an effective approach capable of in vivo detection of biomarkers resulting from drug-induced organ damage is being actively pursued. Herein, we demonstrate a ratiometric fluorescent probe that can trace the variation in alkaline phosphatase (ALP, an organ damage biomarker) levels spatially in vivo. The probe was synthesized by incorporating a phosphate group and an amine-N-oxide group on a 1,8-naphthalimide derivative. The presence of ALP cleaves the phosphate group from naphthalimide and remarkably alters the probe's photophysical properties, thus achieving ratiometric detection of ALP. The incorporation of amine-N-oxide ensures excellent water solubility and biocompatibility, which guarantees the ratiometric detection of ALP in aqueous media and in the cells overexpressed with ALP. With a detection limit of 0.38 U L^-1, the probe was successfully used in detecting ALP in human serum samples. Moreover, the probe can be employed to monitor and spatially map the endogenous variation in ALP levels in zebrafishes. This is the first observation, to our knowledge, of organ-scale ALP pattern in vivo as a result of clinical drug (APAP) induced damage.

Optimization of process parameters of extraction of amentoflavone, quercetin and ginkgetin from Taxus chinensis using supercritical CO2 plus co-solvent

The effects of extraction time, temperature, pressure and different concentration of ethanol and their interactions on the yields of amentoflavone, quercetin and ginkgetin extracted from Taxus chinensis by supercritical CO₂ were investigated by using a central composite design (CCD). An CCD experimental design with four factors and five levels was used to optimize the extraction parameters. Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was used to analyze the content of the tree components in the extracts. Experimental results show that the main effects of factors and their interactions are significant on the yields (p < 0.05). The optimal extraction conditions were established for the three compounds: yield of 4.47 mg/g for amentoflavone at 48 °C, 25 MPa, 2.02 h and 78.5% ethanol, 3.73 mg/g for quercetin at 46 °C, 24 MPa, 2.3 h, 82% ethanol and 3.47 mg/g for ginkgetin at 48 °C, 20 MPa, 2.38 h, 82% ethanol, respectively.