Hepatoprotective effect of Cymbopogon citratus aqueous extract against hydrogen peroxide-induced liver injury in male rats

Nutritional Significance, Antimicrobial, Antioxidants, Anticancer, and Antiviral Activities of Lemongrass Leaves Extract and Its Application as Hepatoprotective Agent against CCl4-Induced Hepatic Injury in Rats

This work investigated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of lemongrass extract and its effects on rat hepatotoxicity. The lemongrass extract (LGE) contains bioactive components such as phenolic acids, flavonoid components, vitamin C, fibers, and tannins. The LGE had high phenolic content (397 mg/100g) and flavonoids (164 mg/100g), influencing its antioxidant activity of 91.25%. Additionally, it inhibited 81% of breast cancer, also, inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria and Candida at a concentration of 20-40 µg/mL. Additionally, it inhibited SARS-Cov-2 by 75%; however, increasing the activity of Cas-3. Quercetin-3-rhamnoside was the main phenolic compound in the HPLC profile; the phenolic compounds may be attributable to the beneficial effects of LGE. In this study, the CCl4-challenged rats delivered two levels of LGE (100 and 300 mg/kg BW). LGE reduced ALT, AST, creatinine and urea by 50 and 37%, respectively. Generally, LGE mitigated the oxidative stress induced by CCl4, which is evident in the histology of liver and kidney tissues, where significant improvement, with no cytoplasmic degradation in undamaged liver hepatocytes, improved kidney performance and shape. It can be concluded that polyphenolic-rich LGE can mitigate the oxidative stress induced by CCl4 and other parameters while enhancing kidney and liver performance.

Transcriptomic analysis of hydrogen peroxide-induced liver dysfunction in Cyprinus carpio: Insights into protein synthesis and metabolism

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a prevalent reactive oxygen species (ROS) found in natural aquatic environments, has garnered significant attention for its potential toxicity in fish. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this toxicity are not yet comprehensively understood. This study aimed to assess H2O2-induced liver dysfunction in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms via biochemical and transcriptomic analyses. Common carp were divided into normal control (NC) and H2O2-treated groups (1 mM H2O2), the latter of which was exposed to H2O2 for 1 h per day over a period of 14 days. Serum biochemical analyses indicated that exposure to H2O2 resulted in moderate liver damage, characterized by elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and lowered albumin (Alb) level. Concurrently, H2O2 exposure induced oxidative stress and modified the hepatic metabolic enzyme levels. Transcriptome analysis highlighted that 1358 and 1188 genes were significantly downregulated and upregulated, respectively, in the H2O2-treated group. These differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in protein synthesis and a variety of metabolic functions such as peptide biosynthetic processes, protein transport, ribonucleoprotein complex biogenesis, oxoacid metabolic processes, and tricarboxylic acid metabolic processes. Dysregulation of protein synthesis is principally associated with the downregulation of three specific pathways: ribosome biogenesis, protein export, and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Furthermore, metabolic abnormalities were primarily characterized by inhibition of the citrate cycle (TCA) and fatty acid biosynthesis. Significantly, anomalies in both protein synthesis and metabolic function may be linked to aberrant regulation of the insulin signaling pathway. These findings offer innovative insights into the mechanisms underlying H2O2 toxicity in aquatic animals, contributing to the assessment of ecological risks.

The hepatotoxicity of γ-radiation synthesized 5-fluorouracil nanogel versus 5-fluorouracil in rats model

INTRODUCTION

The clinical use of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a routinely used chemotherapy medication, has a deleterious impact on the liver. Therefore, it is necessary to find a less harmful alternative to minimize liver damage. This study was designed to see how 5-fluorouracil nanogel influenced 5-FU-induced liver damage in rats.

METHODS

To induce liver damage, male albino rats were injected intraperitoneally with 5-FU (12.5 mg/kg) three doses/week for 1 month. The histopathological examination together with measuring the activities of serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes (ALT and AST) were used to evaluate the severity of liver damage besides, hepatic oxidative stress and antioxidant markers were also measured. The hepatic gene expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its inhibitor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1(Keap-1) in addition to hepatic inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α) and interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6) were detected.

RESULTS

5-Fu nanogel effectively attenuated 5-FU-induced liver injury by improving the hepatic structure and function (ALT and AST) besides the suppression of the hepatic inflammatory mediators (TNF- α, IL-1β and IL-6). Additionally, 5-FU nanogel alleviated the impaired redox status and restored the antioxidant system via maintaining the cellular homeostasis Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

CONCLUSION

Consequently, 5-Fu nanogel exhibited lower liver toxicity compared to 5-FU, likely due to the alleviation of hepatic inflammation and the regulation of the cellular redox pathway.

Taurine inhibits hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory response and apoptosis in liver of Monopterus albus

Fish are extremely vulnerable to environmental stimulation and produce oxidative stress. Among them, hydrogen peroxide is an oxidative stress source that cannot be ignored in fish, which can cause physical disorders, inflammation and even death. Taurine was revealed to reduce oxidative damage and inflammation caused by toxic substances, but whether it can reduce toxicity of rice field eel caused by H₂O₂ has not been determined. Thus, the intervention effects of taurine on H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy in rice field eel. The results showed that oxidative injury in the liver was determined after H₂O₂ injection, as indicated by enhanced serum AST and ALT activities, inhibited the antioxidant function (increased MDA and ROS contents, decreased antioxidant enzymes, inhibited nrf2 transcription level), and induced inflammatory response (upregulated il-1β, il-6, il-8, and il-12β gene expression, downregulated tgf-β1 gene expression, activated the transcription level of nf-κb, tlr-3, and tlr-7). In addition, bax, caspase3, beclin1, and Lc3B gene expression were significantly upregulated after H₂O₂ injection, while bcl2 and p62 gene expression were downregulated, leading to the occurrence of apoptosis and autophagy. In contrast, adding 0.2 and 0.5% taurine to feed significantly alleviated this damage, as indicated by the recovery of the aforementioned bioindicators, and the effect of 0.5% taurine addition is better than 0.2%. Overall, these results suggested that taurine can relieve the liver toxicity induced by H₂O₂, which enriched the toxic mechanism of H₂O₂ on fish and provided evidence for the protective effect of taurine on liver.

Role of Platelet-activating factor and HO-1 in mediating the protective effect of rupatadine against 5-fluorouracil-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, but its hepatotoxicity challenges its clinical use. Thus, searching for a hepatoprotective agent is highly required to prevent the accompanied hepatic hazards. The current study aimed to investigate the potential benefit and mechanisms of action of rupatadine (RU), a Platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist, in the prevention of 5-FU-related hepatotoxicity in rats. Hepatotoxicity was developed in male albino rats by a single 5-FU (150 mg/kg) intra-peritoneal injection on the 7th day of the experiment. RU (3 mg/kg/day) was orally administrated to the rodents for 10 days. Hepatic toxicity was assessed by measuring both liver and body weights, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST), hepatic oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide levels (NOx), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD)), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Inflammatory markers expressions (inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukins; IL-1B, IL-6), the apoptotic marker (caspase-3), and PAF were measured in the hepatic tissue. 5-FU-induced hepatotoxicity was proved by the biochemical along with histopathological assessments. RU ameliorated 5-FU-induced liver damage as proved by the improved serum ALT, AST, and hepatic oxidative stress parameters, the attenuated expression of hepatic pro-inflammatory cytokines and PAF, and the up-regulation of HO-1. Therefore, it can be concluded that RU pretreatment exerted a hepatoprotective effect against 5-FU-induced liver damage through both its powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effect.

Sanguinarine attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced toxicity in liver of Monopterus albus: Role of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis

In aquatic animals, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which is a source of oxidative stress, can cause physiological dysfunction, inflammation, and death. Sanguinarine (SAN) is a plant extract known to improve antioxidant and immune capacity. However, the roles of SAN in H₂O₂-induced liver tissue toxicity is unclear. The effects on hepatic oxidative damage, inflammatory response, and apoptosis were investigated by feeding rice field eel with 0, 375, and 750 μg/kg of SAN for eight weeks and then intraperitoneally injected with H₂O₂. The results showed that after 24 h of H₂O₂ injection, the activities of ALT and AST in serum were significantly increased, oxidative damage and inflammatory response occurred in the liver, and apoptosis was induced, which indicated that H₂O₂ induced liver damage in rice field eel. However, dietary supplemented with 375 or 750 μg/kg SAN significantly decreased the activities of ALT and AST in serum, and significantly increased the antioxidant function (decreased ROS, MDA, and antioxidant enzymes levels, downregulated antioxidant-related gene expression, and inhibited the transcription level of nrf2). The addition of SAN at 375 or 750 μg/kg ameliorated H₂O₂-induced inflammatory response of liver (upregulated tgf-β1 mRNA expression, downregulated il-1β, il-6, il-8, and il-12β mRNA expression, and inhibited the transcription levels of tlr-3 tlr-7, and nf-κb). In addition, dietary supplemented with 375 or 750 μg/kg SAN alleviated the apoptosis of liver induced by H₂O₂ (downregulated bax mRNA expression, upregulated caspase3 mRNA expression, and reduced the number of apoptotic cells by TUNEL staining). Overall, these results suggested that SAN could alleviate the liver injury in rice field eel induced by H₂O₂, mainly by improving antioxidant capacity, alleviating inflammatory response and inhibiting apoptosis, and the effect of 750 μg/kg SAN addition is better than 375 μg/kg.

Effects of citral on serum antioxidant status and liver genes expressions of paraoxonase 1 and nitric oxide synthase in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus

Background:

Citral (C₁₀H₁₆O) is the main ingredient of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass oil) and can reduce the side effects of oxidative stress. Diabetes caused by insulin deficiency induces oxidative stress in the liver.

Aims:

This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of citral on selected oxidative parameters and the gene expression of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in a rat model of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus.

Methods:

Forty rats were divided into four groups at random: control (C), control citral (CC), and two STZ-induced diabetic groups (diabetic (D) and citral diabetic (CD)). After diabetes confirmation (day 7), gavage treatment with citral (300 mg/kg body weight (BW)) was started in the CD and CC groups and continued for two weeks.

Results:

On day 21 of the study, following treatment with citral for 14 days, the serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and PON1 in the CD group were significantly increased compared to those in the D group (P<0.05). While treatment with citral caused a significant decrease in the Malondialdehyde (MDA), and eNOS in the CD group compared to those of the D group (P<0.001). The expression rate of liver PON1 gene was considerably upregulated in the CD group compared to that in the D group (P<0.001); while the opposite was observed for eNOS gene expression. However, there was no significant difference between the CC and C groups in terms of all examined parameters (P>0.05).

Conclusion:

This study showed positive effects of citral on serum antioxidant status and liver gene expression of PON1 and eNOS in diabetic rats.

The protection of selenium against cadmium-induced mitophagy via modulating nuclear xenobiotic receptors response and oxidative stress in the liver of rabbits

Cadmium (Cd) is a harmful heavy metal that can cause many health problems, while selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient for organisms that can protect them from heavy metal-induced damage. To explore the effects of Se on Cd-induced mitophagy in the liver, forty 3-month-old New Zealand white rabbits (2-2.5 kg), half male and half female, were randomly divided into four groups: the Control group, the Se (0.5 mg/kg body weight (BW)) group, the Cd (1 mg/kg BW) group and the Se+Cd group. After 30 days, the toxicity from Cd in the liver was assessed in terms of the nuclear xenobiotic receptor (NXR) response, oxidative stress and mitophagy. It was found that Cd decreased the activities of CYP450 enzymes and antioxidant enzymes and increased the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and also increased the consumption of reduced glutathione (GSH). Moreover, the mRNA levels of NXRs (CAR, PXR, AHR and Nrf2), some mitochondrial function factors (PGC-1α, Sirt1, Sirt3, Nrf1 and TFAM) and mitochondrial fusion factors (Mfn1, Mfn2 and OPA1) were downregulated, but the mRNA levels of other mitochondrial function factors (VDAC1, Cyt C and PRDX3), mitochondrial fission factors (Fis1 and MFF) and those in the PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy pathway (p62, Bnip3 and LC3) were upregulated under Cd exposure. The protein expression levels of Nrf2, SOD2, PGC-1α, PINK1 and Parkin were consistent with the mRNA expression levels in the Cd group. Se alleviated the changes in the abovementioned factors induced by Cd. In conclusion, the results indicate that Cd can cause oxidative stress in rabbit livers by inhibiting NXRs and the antioxidation response leading to mitophagy, and these harmful changes caused by Cd can be alleviated by Se.

Role of Herbal Teas in Regulating Cellular Homeostasis and Autophagy and Their Implications in Regulating Overall Health

Tea is one of the most popular and widely consumed beverages worldwide, and possesses numerous potential health benefits. Herbal teas are well-known to contain an abundance of polyphenol antioxidants and other ingredients, thereby implicating protection and treatment against various ailments, and maintaining overall health in humans, although their mechanisms of action have not yet been fully identified. Autophagy is a conserved mechanism present in organisms that maintains basal cellular homeostasis and is essential in mediating the pathogenesis of several diseases, including cancer, type II diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease. The increasing prevalence of these diseases, which could be attributed to the imbalance in the level of autophagy, presents a considerable challenge in the healthcare industry. Natural medicine stands as an effective, safe, and economical alternative in balancing autophagy and maintaining homeostasis. Tea is a part of the diet for many people, and it could mediate autophagy as well. Here, we aim to provide an updated overview of popular herbal teas’ health-promoting and disease healing properties and in-depth information on their relation to autophagy and its related signaling molecules. The present review sheds more light on the significance of herbal teas in regulating autophagy, thereby improving overall health.

miR‑148a‑3p regulates alcoholic liver fibrosis through targeting ERBB3

Alcoholic liver disease greatly affects human health. Previous studies have identified that microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver fibrosis (ALF). Therefore, the present study explored the regulatory mechanism of miR-148a-3p in ALF. An ALF model was established in rats by alcohol gavage, followed by treatment with miR-148a-3p. Reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q) PCR was performed to detect miR-148a-3p expression in the rat liver tissues. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined by enzyme-labeled colorimetry. Liver damage was evaluated by liver indices and histology. The direct target gene of miR-148a-3p was predicted by a dual luciferase reporter assay. The effects of miR-148a-3p and miR-148a-3p in combination with receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-3 (ERBB3) on HSC-T6 cell viability and apoptosis were detected by MTT and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Western blotting and RT-qPCR assays were performed to detect the expression levels of proteins and mRNA associated with fibrosis and apoptosis. The data showed that miR-148a-3p mimics inhibited the expression levels of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, α-SMA and type I collagen in the model, decreased the liver indices, and improved the liver damage caused by alcohol. ERBB3, which was predicted as the direct target gene of miR-148a-3p, reversed the effects of ERBB3 on promoting cell viability and inhibiting apoptosis. Concomitantly, miR-148a-3p reversed the increased expression of Bcl-2 and inhibited the expression levels of Bax and c-cleaved-3 caused by ERBB3. These data suggested that miR-148a-3p regulated ALF and the viability and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells through targeting ERBB3.

Antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of resveratrol on oxidative stress-induced liver damage in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Resveratrol, a dietary polyphenol, has been shown to exert antioxidation, hepatoprotection, anti-inflammation and immunostimulation. However, the effects and underlying mechanism of resveratrol on liver injury in fish are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the potential protective effects and mechanism of resveratrol on oxidative stress-induced liver damage in tilapia. Fish were fed diet containing four doses of resveratrol (0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.6 g/kg diet) for 60 days, and then given an intraperitoneal injection of H₂O₂ or saline. The results showed that administration of resveratrol significantly ameliorated H₂O₂-induced liver injury. In serum and liver, resveratrol treatment suppressed the oxidative stress, as evidenced by the decline of lipid peroxidation level and increase of antioxidant activity. Resveratrol also activated erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway and enhanced the heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P) H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1), glutathione S-transferase (GST) mRNA levels. Meanwhile, resveratrol treatment repressed TLR2-Myd88-NF-κB signaling pathway to decrease the inflammatory response in H₂O₂-induced liver injury as evidenced by the lower interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-8 mRNA levels and higher IL-10 mRNA level. Moreover, resveratrol treatment attenuated immunotoxicity in liver of H₂O₂-treated fish, accompanied by upregulation of hepcidin (HEP), complement 3 (C3) and lysozyme (LZM) mRNA levels. Overall results suggested that the protection of resveratrol on H₂O₂-induced liver injury, inflammation and immunotoxicity was due to its antioxidant property and its ability to modulate the Nrf2 and TLR2-Myd88-NF-κB signaling pathways.

Antioxidative, inflammatory and immune responses in hydrogen peroxide-induced liver injury of tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus)

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many liver diseases in fish, but the molecular mechanism is still obscure. Here, we used hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce liver injury and assess underlying molecular mechanism linking oxidative stress and liver injury in fish. Tilapia were injected with various concentrations of H₂O₂ (0, 40, 120, 200, 300 and 400 mM) for 72 h. The blood and liver were collected to assay biochemical parameters and genes expression after 24, 48 and 72 h of injection. The results showed that treatments with higher H₂O₂ levels (300 and/or 400 mM) significantly increased the levels of GPT, GOT, AKP and MDA, and apparently decreased the levels of TP, ALB, SOD, GSH, CAT, GST and T-AOC throughout of the 72 h. The gene expression data showed that treatments with 200, 300 and/or 400 H₂O₂ suppressed Nrf2/keap1 pathway and its downstream genes including ho-1, nqo1 and gsta, activated inflammatory response via enhancing the mRNA levels of nf-κb, tnf-α, il-1β and il-8, and attenuating il-10 mRNA level, and caused immunotoxicity through downregulating the genes expression of c3, hep, lzm and Igm for 24, 48 and/or 72 h. Additionally, there was a mild or strong increase in levels of nrf2 and its subsequent antioxidant genes or enzymes such as ho-1, nqo1, gst, CAT and SOD in treatments with lower concentrations of H₂O₂ (40 or 120 mM) for 24 and/or 48 h. Overall results suggested that H₂O₂ hepatotoxicity was mainly concerned with lipid peroxidation, impairment antioxidant defense systems, inflammatory response and immunotoxicity, and Nrf2/Keap1 and NF-κB signaling pathways played important roles in oxidative stress-induced liver injury in fish.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Aqueous Extract from the Seeds of Orychophragmus violaceus against Liver Injury in Mice and HepG2 Cells

Orychophragmus violaceus (O. violaceus) is a kind of edible wild herb in north China and its seeds have medical potential, however, the effect of O. violaceus seeds on liver injury and the mechanism of action remains poorly understood. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of O. violaceus seeds on liver injury and further explore the molecular mechanism of the beneficial effects using aqueous extract from the seeds of O. violaceus (AEOV). Mice were orally administrated with saline, AEOV, and biphenyldicarboxylate for 4 days, and were then injected subcutaneously with 0.1% carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) dissolved in corn oil. Sixteen hours later, mice were sacrificed and blood samples were collected. Then, the serum was separated and used for biochemical assay. Livers were excised and were routinely processed for histological examinations. Enzyme activities and protein levels in liver homogenates were detected using commercial kits or by western blot analysis. Additionally, the hepatoprotective effect of AEOV in vitro was evaluated using epigoitrin, the major alkaloid compound isolated from AEOV. We found that AEOV attenuated liver injury induced by CCl₄ as evidenced by decreased levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aminotransferase (AST) in serum, improvement of liver histopathological changes, and substantial attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation via regulation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor κB (NFκB) pathways. These effects of AEOV were comparable to that of biphenyldicarboxylate which was commonly used as a hepatoprotective reference. Moreover, pretreatment of HepG2 cells with epigoitrin improved cell viability, decreased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, attenuated the NFκB pathway, and elevated the Nrf2 pathway after exposure to H₂O₂. These results suggest that AEOV could effectively prevent CCl₄-induced liver injury in mice via regulating the Nrf2 and NFκB pathways, and reveal the cytoprotective effects of epigoitrin against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Carboxymethyl Pachyman in Fluorouracil-Treated CT26-Bearing Mice

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is the chemotherapeutic agent of first choice for the treatment ofcolorectal cancer, however, treatment-related liver toxicity remains a major concern. Thereby, it is desirable to search for novel therapeutic approaches that can effectively enhance curative effects and reduce the toxic side effects of 5-FU. Carboxymethyl Pachyman (CMP) exhibits strong antitumor properties, but the antitumor and hepatoprotective effects of CMP and the molecular mechanisms behind these activities, are however poorly explored. Thereby, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of CMP in 5-FU-treated CT26-bearing mice, and further explore the underlying mechanism(s) of action. Initially, a CT26 colon carcinoma xenograft mice model was established. The immune organ indexes, blood indicators, liver tissue injury, and indicators associated with inflammation, antioxidant and apoptosis were then measured. Our results showed that CMP administration increased the tumor inhibitory rates of 5-FU and, meanwhile, it reversed reduction of peripheral white blood cells (WBC) and bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNC), increase of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and decrease of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), GSH-Px and glutathione(GSH) induced by 5-FU. Moreover, CMP in combination with 5-FU alleviated severe liver injury induced by 5-FU via reducing the levels of ROS, IL-1β, and IL-6, decreasing expression of p-IκB-α, NF-κB, p-NF-κB, pp38 and Bax, and elevating levels of Nrf2, GCL, HO-1 and Bcl-2. Collectively, these outcomes suggested that CMP effectively enhanced the curative effects of 5-FU and simultaneously reduced the liver injuries induced by 5-FU in CT26-bearing mice, and the mechanism may be associated with regulation of NF-κB, Nrf2-ARE and MAPK/P38/JNK pathways.

Protective Effect of Cymbopogon citratus Essential Oil in Experimental Model of Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury

To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Cymbopogon citratus or lemongrass essential oil (LGO), it was used in an animal model of acute liver injury induced by acetaminophen (APAP). Swiss mice were pretreated with LGO (125, 250 and 500[Formula: see text]mg/kg) and SLM (standard drug, 200[Formula: see text]mg/kg) for a duration of seven days, followed by the induction of hepatotoxicity of APAP (single dose, 250[Formula: see text]mg/kg). The liver function markers alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transferase were determined to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of the LGO. The livers were used to determine myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, nitric oxide (NO) production and histological analysis. The effect of LGO on leukocyte migration was evaluated in vitro. Anti-oxidant activity was performed by assessing the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in vitro. LGO pretreatment decreased significantly the levels of ALT, AST and ALP compared with APAP group. MPO activity and NO production were decreased. The histopathological analysis showed an improved of hepatic lesions in mice after LGO pretreatment. LGO inhibited neutrophil migration and exhibited anti-oxidant activity. Our results suggest that LGO has protective activity against liver toxicity induced by paracetamol.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Citral on Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Toxicity in Mice

High doses of acetaminophen (APAP) lead to acute liver damage. In this study, we evaluated the effects of citral in a murine model of hepatotoxicity induced by APAP. The liver function markers alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (γGT) were determined to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of citral. The livers were used to determine myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and nitric oxide (NO) production and in histological analysis. The effect of citral on leukocyte migration and antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro. Citral pretreatment decreased significantly the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and γGT, MPO activity, and NO production. The histopathological analysis showed an improvement of hepatic lesions in mice after citral pretreatment. Citral inhibited neutrophil migration and exhibited antioxidant activity. Our results suggest that citral protects the liver against liver toxicity induced by APAP.

An ethnobotanical study of plants used to treat liver diseases in the Maritime region of Togo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In Togo, many persons still rely on plants for healing, however very little is known about the medicinal practices of the indigenous people. The present study aimed to document the medicinal plant utilization for the management of liver diseases in the Maritime region of the country.

METHODOLOGY

This was an ethnobotanical survey conducted in the Maritime region of Togo from June to August 2015. The data were gathered from 104 traditional healers (TH) by direct interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The calculated use values (UV) were used to analyze the importance of the cited plants.

RESULTS

A total of 99 plant species belonging to 88 genera and 49 families were cited by the TH as curing the hepatic diseases. The most represented families were Caesalpiniaceae with 8 species, followed by Euphorbiaceae with 7 species, Apocynaceae and Asteraceae with 6 species each. The highest UV were recorded with Gomphrena celosioides (0.13), Xylopia ethiopica (0.12), Senna occidentalis (0.12), Bridelia ferruginea (0.12), Cymbopogon citratus (0.12), Kigellia Africana (0.09), Cassia sieberiana (0.08) and Sanseviera liberica (0.08), showing their importance in the management of liver dysfunction in the surveyed region. The main used parts were the leaves, followed by the roots, the whole plant, the rhizome and the bark, accounting for more than 10% each. The herbal medicines were mostly prepared in the form of decoction and administrated by oral route.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that Maritime region of Togo has an important plant biodiversity that is exploited by the indigenous TH. However, some plants cited by the TH have not been studied for their possible hepatoprotective effects. These plants are therefore a starting point for biological screenings.

Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and biological activities of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf extracts

Cymbopogon citratus is a widely distributed perennial herb belonging to the Poaceae family and has been extensively consumed for its medicinal, cosmetic, and nutritional effects for centuries. A large number of reports have been published describing the pharmacological, biological, and therapeutic actions of this herb. In this review, we summarized the literatures on related studies (up to January, 2014) that highlighted the pharmacologic and biological effects of the major phytochemicals isolated from C. citratus extracts and its essential oil. The components of the essential oils found in C. citratus have a similar pharmacokinetic properties, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. They are quickly absorbed following oral, pulmonary, and dermal administration. Based on the published reports, it can also be inferred that, after absorption from the small intestine, some phytochemicals in C. citratus can undergo oxidation, glucuronidation, sulfation, and/or O-methylation. Excretion is through urine, feces and/or expired volatiles. The biotransformation reactions of C. citratus bioactive constituents are essential for its relatively safe consumption and therapeutic applications. The data available so far warrant further studies evaluating C. citratus pharmacokinetics. Reliable pharmacokinetic data in humans would be critical for a better understanding of the the systemic handling of C. citratus.