Curative propensity of green tea extract towards hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl(4): A histopathological study

Starch-Based Hydrogel Nanoparticles Loaded with Polyphenolic Compounds of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract Have Hepatoprotective Activity in Bisphenol A-Induced Animal Models

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an xenoestrogenic chemical used extensively in the fabrication of baby bottles, reusable plastic water bottles and polycarbonate plastic containers. The current study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Moringa oleifera Lam leaf extract (MOLE) and hydrogel NPs made of starch-MOLE-Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) against Bisphenol A-induced liver toxicity in male rats. Fabrication and characterization of hydrogel NPs formed of starch-MOLE-BSA were investigated using FTIR, TEM, zeta potential, UV-visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometer. The potential efficacy of hydrogel NPs was studied. Compared to the results of control, the level of liver function, oxidative stress markers and lipid profile status were remodulated in the groups treated with MOLE and hydrogel NPs (Encap. MOLE). Meanwhile, the administration of MOLE and Encap MOLE significantly increased antioxidant activity and decreased the level of apoptotic pathways. Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and growth arrest -DNA damage-inducible gene 45b (Gadd45b) were also regulated in the groups treated with MOLE and Encap. MOLE compared to the group which received BPA alone. In the present study, MOLE and hydrogel NPs led to remarkable alterations in histological changes during BPA administration. Overall, MOLE has a potential antioxidant activity which can be used in the treatment of liver disorders.

Starch based hydrogel NPs loaded by anthocyanins might treat glycogen storage at cardiomyopathy in animal fibrotic model

Many reports have been published recently confirmed the limitation of cargo molecules delivered into the heart. This failure is mostly associated with lymphatic or vascular channels washing or to the immune system recognition. Delivery of anthocyanins by encapsulation may augment it retention in the heart at early time points as the capsules are too large to wash out by lymphatic or venous channels and the physical structure of the capsule may shield the anthocyanins from immunoglobulins and cellular components of the immune system. In the current study, the cardiac dysfunction was induced by using carbon tetrachloride and then animal were treated orally by using anthocyanins incorporated into hydrogel NPs twice time /week for 4 weeks. The results showed anthocyanin loaded hydrogel NPs has ability to re-maintain the glycogen content in the liver and heart tissues of fibrotic group (13 ± 1.4 and 5 ± 0.7 μmol glucose/g tissue). Additionally, MDA and hydroxyproline were significantly reduced. PAS stain showed depletion of glycogen granules from heart tissue. It is concluded that starch based hydrogel loaded by anthocyanins can improve histological cardiac functions after their injury .

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in combination with silymarin regulate hepatocyte growth factor expression and genotoxicity in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the antimutagenic potential of combination treatment of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) and silymarin and its effect on hepatocyte growth factor levels in CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats.

METHODS

Hepatotoxicity was induced in adult female Wistar rats using carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄ ). Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into six groups with six rats in each group: Group 1 (normal control group), Group 2 (received only CCl ₄ ), Group 3 (CCl ₄ +low dose BM-MSCs), Group 4 (CCl ₄ +high dose BM-MSCs), Group 5 (CCl ₄  + silymarin), Group 6 (CCl ₄ +silymarin+high dose BM-MSCs). Thirty days after the treatment, blood samples were collected for hepatocyte growth factor estimation. The rats were then killed, bone marrow was extracted for chromosomal aberration assay. Liver tissue was processed for evaluating the DNA fragmentation assay, histopathology, and scanning electron microscopy study.

RESULTS

Combination treatment of silymarin and high dose BM-MSCs significantly (P < 0.05) restored the plasma hepatocyte growth factor levels which were comparable with normal levels and exhibited significant antimutagenic and antiapoptotic activity by decreasing the frequency of structural chromosomal aberrations and suppressing the DNA fragmentation in liver tissue samples. The combination treatment produced significant hepatoprotective effect which was supported by histopathology and scanning electron microscopy study.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate that the treatment of BM-MSCs in combination with silymarin had a better hepatoprotective and antimutagenic effect and represents a novel strategy for the treatment of hepatotoxicity.

Attenuation of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Toxicity by a Dietary Supplement

Advanced liver disease (ALD) is often characterized with overt malnutrition and liver fibrosis. In this study, a dietary supplement (DS) was first developed, including branch chain amino acids, fat soluble vitamins, zinc, medium chain triglycerides, soy lecithin, L-carnitine, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Benefits of DS were then tested using an ALD rat model treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 6, 8, and 10 weeks, respectively. Our study showed that CCl4-induced drop of serum albumin and ratio of branch chain to aromatic amino acids were significantly prevented at all three time points. DS also mitigated CCl4-induced elevation of classical liver function markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and bilirubin) at certain time points, depending on specific liver function markers. Moreover, CCl4-induced liver fibrosis was strongly inhibited at all three time points in a transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) independent manner. These findings indicated multi-faceted benefits of DS in this animal model, suggesting that it could be a useful adjunctive treatment of ALD in clinic.

Protective effects of seed melon extract on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Citrullus lanatus ssp. vulgaris var. megalaspermus Lin et Chao, was also known as watermelon belongs to family Cucurbitaceae, variously used as healthy food and in the treatment of liver and lungs problems. Currently, Citrullus lanatus has become a major economic crop of medicinal and edible effects with regional characteristics.

AIM

This study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of the seed melon (Citrullus lanatus ssp. vulgaris var. megalaspermus Lin et Chao) extract (SME) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced hepatic fibrosis in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, mice were randomly divided into 7 groups, including normal control, model, silymarin tablets as the positive control, SME 100, 200, 400, and 800mg/kg. After 8 weeks, activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglycerides (TG), hyaluronic acid (HA) and laminin (LN) were checked. The levels of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutataion (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were determined after SME administration. The hydroxyproline (HYP) levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and histopathologic examinations of hepatocyte fibrosis were also determined. Additionally, effects of SME on alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor beta-1(TGF-β1) protein expressions were determined.

RESULTS

We found that SME could significantly lower the serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers AST, ALT, HA and LN (P<0.01). Compared with the CCl₄-only treatment group, levels of hepatic SOD and GSH-Px were significantly increased, and the MDA levels were remarkably decreased in mice treated by SME at medium dose (400mg/kg) and high dose (800mg/kg) (P<0.01). A histological examination of the liver showed that lesions, including necrosis, lymphocyte infiltration and fatty degeneration, were partially healed by treatment with SME. The results of protein expressions studies displayed that SME could inhibit α-SMA and TGF-β1 protein expression (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The present results suggested that protective effect of SME against CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis may rely on its effect on reducing oxidative stress and improving drug metabolizing enzyme activity in liver.

Protective effects of extracts from Pomegranate peels and seeds on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

BACKGROUND

Liver fibrosis is a feature in the majority of chronic liver diseases and oxidative stress is considered to be its main pathogenic mechanism. Antioxidants including vitamin E, are effective in preventing liver fibrogenesis. Several plant-drived antioxidants, such as silymarin, baicalin, beicalein, quercetin, apigenin, were shown to interfere with liver fibrogenesis. The antioxidans above are polyphenols, flavonoids or structurally related compounds which are the main chemical components of Pomegranate peels and seeds, and the antioxidant activity of Pomegranate peels and seeds have been verified. Here we investigated whether the extracts of pomegranate peels (EPP) and seeds (EPS) have preventive efficacy on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats and explored its possible mechanisms.

METHODS

The animal model was established by injection with 50 % CCl4 subcutaneously in male wistar rats twice a week for four weeks. Meanwhile, EPP and EPS were administered orally every day for 4 weeks, respectively. The protective effects of EPP and EPS on biochemical metabolic parameters, liver function, oxidative markers, activities of antioxidant enzymes and liver fibrosis were determined in CCl4-induced liver toxicity in rats.

RESULTS

Compared with the sham group, the liver function was worse in CCl4 group, manifested as increased levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin. EPP and EPS treatment significantly ameliorated these effects of CCl4. EPP and EPS attenuated CCl4-induced increase in the levels of TGF-β1, hydroxyproline, hyaluronic acid laminin and procollagen type III. They also restored the decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and inhibited the formation of lipid peroxidized products in rats treated with CCl4.

CONCLUSION

The EPP and EPS have protective effects against liver fibrosis induced by CCl4, and its mechanisms might be associated with their antioxidant activity, the ability of decreasing the level of TGF-β1 and inhibition of collagen synthesis.

Green tea polyphenols and their potential role in health and disease

There is a growing body of evidence that plant polyphenols such as resveratrol, anthocyanins, catechins, and terpenes like taxol are effectively used in the treatment of chronic conditions including cancer, Alzheimer, Parkinsonism, diabetes, aging, etc. The link between oxidative stress and inflammation is well accepted. Thus, the mechanism of action of these natural products is partly believed to be through their significant antioxidant properties. The main constituent of green tea, with clinical significance, is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). It has been associated with antitumor, anti-Alzheimer, and anti-aging properties, improve redox status at the tissue level possibly preventing system level structural damage. This review focuses on EGCG and its potential therapeutic role in health and disease.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate attenuates unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal interstitial fibrosis in mice

The severity of tubulointerstitial fibrosis is regarded as an important determinant of renal prognosis. Therapeutic strategies targeting tubulointerstitial fibrosis have been considered to have potential in the treatment of chronic kidney disease. This study aims to evaluate the protective effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, against renal interstitial fibrosis in mice. EGCG was administrated intraperitoneally for 14 days in a mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). The results of our histological examination showed that EGCG alleviated glomerular and tubular injury and attenuated renal interstitial fibrosis in UUO mice. Furthermore, the inflammatory responses induced by UUO were inhibited, as represented by decreased macrophage infiltration and inflammatory cytokine production. Additionally, the expression of type I and III collagen in the kidney were reduced by EGCG, which indicated an inhibition of extracellular matrix accumulation. EGCG also caused an up-regulation in α-smooth muscle actin expression and a down-regulation in E-cadherin expression, indicating the inhibition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These changes were found to be in parallel with the decreased level of TGF-β1 and phosphorylated Smad. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that EGCG could attenuate renal interstitial fibrosis in UUO mice, and this renoprotective effect might be associated with its effects of inflammatory responses alleviation and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway inhibition.

Green tea extract therapy diminishes hepatic fibrosis mediated by dual exposure to carbon tetrachloride and ethanol: A histopathological study

The aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of green tea extract (GTE) against the hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), ethanol, and dual exposure to CCl₄ plus ethanol in rats. In particular, an investigation of the three-dimensional architecture was conducted using scanning electron microscopy. Various techniques revealed that hepatic fibrosis with intermingled fibers was located between cells in the CCl₄, ethanol and combined CCl₄ plus ethanol groups. The hepatic fibrosis differed among the ethanol, CCl₄ and CCl₄ plus ethanol groups in terms of the type, thickness and distribution of fibers. The fibrotic lesions virtually disappeared in all the groups after 25 days of treatment with GTE, returning the architecture of the liver tissue to its normal status. The rats were also found to regain normal body weight and fur color, which had earlier been discolored due to weight loss. The autopsy results also showed that the animal livers returned to the normal shape and color. GTE demonstrated the same clear action in attenuating the hepatofibrosis for all three inducing treatments, by impairing collagen fibers, eliminating lipid peroxidation and returning the liver architecture to normal. GTE presents a safe therapeutic strategy for hepatic fibrosis.