Ameliorated effects of green tea extract on lead induced liver toxicity in rats

In the present study, the effect of green tea extract (GTE) on lead induced toxicity was studied in Sprague–Dawley rats. Four groups of rats were used in the study. Lead and GTE was given orally to the rats with drinking water for 8 weeks. Lead concentration in the digested tissues of liver was detected using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were used as markers to evaluate the anti oxidant status of tissues. Lead exposure was found to attenuate the antioxidant potential of liver, which was however augmented when supplemented with green tea extract. Liver enzymes ALT, AST and ALP and serum protein determinations indicated the protective effects of green tea extract. Histopathological studies of liver revealed that supplementation of green tea extract resulted in mild degeneration and congestion of the blood vessels and an enhanced regenerative capacity.     

Antihypercholesterolemic activity of ethanolic extract of Buchholzia coriacea in rats

Background

Hypercholesterolemia is a condition characterised with high level of cholesterol in the blood.

Objectives

The effect of ethanolic extract of Buchholzia coriacea (EEBC) on the lipid profile levels and extent of lipid peroxidation in hypercholesterolemic albino rats was investigated in this study.

Methods

Thirty albino rats were divided into six different groups which consist of group 1 (control), group 2 (hypercholesterolemic rats), group 3 (hypercholesterolemic rats treated with ethanolic extract of EEBC), group 4 (hypercholesterolemic rats treated with questran), group 5 (normal rats treated with EEBC) and group 6 (normal rats treated with questran). The rats were sacrificed at the end of the sixth week and assay conducted for Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), lipid profile and biomarker of oxidative stress.

Results

The serum and liver total cholesterol and LDL - cholesterol levels as well as lipid peroxidation in the EEBC-treated hypercholesterolemic rats were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) when compared with the untreated hypercholesterolemic rats. The activities of AST and ALT in EEBC - treated hypercholesterolemic rats were not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the control.

Conclusions

The results suggest that Buchholzia coriacea seeds contain potent antihypercholesterolemic agent which may find clinical application in ameliorating hypercholesterolemia and its attendant complications.     

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus against CCl4-induced liver injury in rats

The hepatoprotective, curative and anti-oxidant properties of aqueous extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus (Violaceae) used against CCl4-induced liver damage in rats were investigated in the present study. Liver damage was induced by CCl4 (1 ml/kg i.p.), and silymarin was used as a standard drug to compare hepatoprotective, curative and antioxidant effects of the extract. Rats were treated with aqueous extract of H. enneaspermus at a dose of either 200 or 400 mg/kg after division into pre-treatment (once daily for 14 days before CCl4 intoxication) and post-treatment (2, 6, 24 and 48 h after CCl4 intoxication) groups. Pre-treatment and post-treatment with aqueous extract of H. enneaspermus showed significant hepatoprotection by reducing the aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activities and total bilirubin levels which had been raised by CCl4 administration. Pre- and post-treatment with aqueous extract significantly decreased hepatic lipid peroxidation as well as producing a corresponding increase in tissue total thiols. Post-treatment with aqueous extract improved ceruloplasmin levels. The histopathological examination of rat liver sections treated with aqueous extract confirms the serum biochemical observations. The present study results demonstrate the protective, curative and anti-oxidant effects of H. enneaspermus aqueous extract used against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, and suggest a potential therapeutic use of H. enneaspermus as an alternative for patients with acute liver diseases.     

Hepatoprotective effects of Cynara extract and silymarin on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Cynara scolymus extract alone or in combination with silymarin on the carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatic injury in rats. Cynara extract (30, 60, or 120 mg/kg), silymarin (25 mg/kg), or Cynara extract (30, 60, or 120 mg/kg) combined with silymarin was given once daily orally simultaneously with CCl₄ and for 2 weeks thereafter. Liver damage was assessed by determining serum enzyme activities and hepatic histopathology. Cynara extract given at the above doses conferred significant protection against the hepatotoxic actions of CCl₄ in rats, reducing serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels by 21 %, 24.3 %, and 35.8 %, respectively, compared to CCl₄ control group. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels decreased by 15.5 %, 39.6 %, and 44.3 %, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) decreased by 21 % and 25 % by Cynara extract at 60 and 120 mg/kg, respectively. In rats treated with silymarin combined with Cynara extract (30, 60, or 120 mg/kg), ALT decreased by 32.6 %, 34.5 %, and 51.6 %, and AST decreased by 20 %, 50.6 %, and 58.3 %, respectively. Meanwhile, ALP decreased by 22.4 % and 29.7 % after treatment with silymarin combined with Cynara extract (60 or 120 mg/kg). On the other hand, the administration of silymarin alone reduced ALT, AST, and ALP levels by 55.3 %, 67.1 %, and 52.5 %, respectively. The administration of CCl₄ resulted in marked increase in nitric oxide level in serum (the concentrations of nitrite/nitrate) as well as marked decrease in blood levels of reduced glutathione (GSH). Treatment with Cynara extract resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in serum nitric oxide level and increased GSH in blood compared with CCl₄ control group. Silymarin showed an additive effect resulting in further decrease in serum nitric oxide. Silymarin only treatment caused a marked reduction in serum nitric oxide level and increased GSH in blood. Histopathological studies also indicated that CCl₄-induced liver injury was less severe in Cynara extract-treated groups. Metabolic perturbations caused by CCl₄ in hepatocytes such as reduced protein and mucopolysaccharide content were markedly improved by the Cynara extract given at the dose of 120 mg/kg. Intracellular protein and mucopolysaccharide contents were normalized upon treatment with silymarin. The effect of Cynara–silymarin combination was, however, less than that of Cynara extract alone. These results suggest that treatment with Cynara extract protects against CCl₄-induced hepatic injury in rats and might prove of value in treating chronic liver disease in man, although the combination of Cynara–silymarin is not superior to either Cynara extract or silymarin alone.     

Hepatoprotective effects of prostacyclins on CCl4-induced liver injury in rats

Certain biochemical parameters of acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride were investigated in rats treated with prostacyclin (PGI2) and two of its derivatives. Serum glutamate oxalacetate transaminase elevation and both triglyceride accumulation and reduction of glycogen content in liver were significantly suppressed by PGI2, 7-oxo-PGI2, and 20-methyl-13,14-didehydro-2,4-m-interphenylene-PGI2 48 hr after the injury. Prostacyclins partially restored some of the parameters of injury even in doses of 10 micrograms/kg ip. When the compounds were given 24 hr after CCl4 intoxication, much more pronounced protection was observed than in the case of treatments 1 hr before administration of the hepatotoxin. Thus, all tested prostacyclins exerted significant protective effects on acute liver damage which is obtained mainly in the second phase of the injury.     

Hepatoprotective effect of L-carnitine against acute acetaminophen toxicity in mice.

L-carnitine is a cofactor in the transfer of long-chain fatty acid allowing the beta-oxidation of fatty acid in the mitochondria. It is also a known antioxidant with protective effects against lipid peroxidation. In this study, hepatoprotective effect of L-carnitine was investigated against acetaminophen (AA)-induced liver toxicity where mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are thought to be involved in AA hepatotoxicity. Sixty-four Balb/C mice were divided into eight groups. Mice were dosed with single-AA injection (500 mg/kg via the intra peritoneal route) with or without L-carnitine (500 mg/kg for 5 days starting 5 days before AA injection via intra peritoneal route) and sampled at 4, 8 and 24 h following AA injection. AA increased serum AST, ALT, total sialic acid (TSA) and MDA as well as tissue TSA and MDA levels significantly with the highest increase observed at 4 h, but there was a decrease in blood and tissue GSH level. Administration of L-carnitine significantly reduced AA-induced elevations in AST, ALT, TSA and MDA concentrations and increased GSH levels at all sampling points. AA also induced necrosis, hyperemia, sinusoidal congestion and hemorrhage with time-dependent increase in severity, but the degree of necrosis and histopathologic alterations were most severe at 24 h following AA administration. However, the degree of pathologic alterations was less severe with simultaneous L-carnitine application. These results suggest that AA results in oxidative damage in the liver with an acute effect. L-carnitine also has a prominent protective effect against AA toxicity and may be of therapeutic value in the treatment of AA-induced hepatotoxicity.     

Hepatoprotective role and antioxidant capacity of selenium on arsenic-induced liver injury in rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of selenium against arsenic-induced oxidative damage in experimental rats. Males were randomly divided into four groups where the first was served as a control, whereas the remaining groups were respectively treated with sodium selenite (3 mg/kg b.w.), sodium arsenite (5.55 mg/kg b.w.) and a combination of sodium arsenite and sodium selenite. Changes in liver enzyme activities, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level, antioxidants and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents were determined after 3 weeks experimental period.Exposure of rats to As caused a significant increase in liver TBARS compared to control, but the co-administration of Se was effective in reducing its level. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) of As-treated group were found lower compared to the control and the Se-treated group. The co-administration of Se had an additive protective effect on liver enzyme activities compared to As-treated animals. On the other hand, a significant increase in plasmatic activities of AST, ALT and ALP was observed in As-treated group. The latter was also exhibited a decrease in body weight and an increase in liver weight compared to the control. The co-administration of Se has decreased the activities of AST, AST and ALP and improved the antioxidant status as well. Liver histological studies have confirmed the changes observed in biochemical parameters and proved the beneficial role of Se. To conclude, results suggest that As exposure enhanced an oxidative stress by disturbing the tissue antioxidant defense system, but the Se co-administration protected liver tissues against As intoxication probably owing to its antioxidant properties.     

细脚拟青霉多糖对抗四氯化碳诱导的急性肝损伤水

目的:观察细脚拟青霉粗多糖(cPtPs)及其纯化多糖(PtPs)对四氯化碳(CCL)诱导大鼠急性肝坏死的影响.方法:将Wistar大鼠分为4组(对照组、CCl4组、cPtPs CCl4组和PtPs CCI4组),分别用生理盐水、cPtPs和PtPs灌胃15 d,最后2 d,腹腔注射CCI4,16 h后全自动生化分析仪检测血清中丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBIL)、直接胆红素(DBIL)和间接胆红素(IBIL);肝组织苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察病变程度;黄嘌呤氧化酶法和硫代巴比妥酸法分别检测肝匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA);甲基百里香酚蓝比色法测定肝细胞线粒体中Ca2 浓度;免疫组织化学法检测肝组织中平滑肌肌动蛋白(A)的表达.结果:与对照组比较,CCl.组血清中ALT、AST、TBIL、DBIL和IBIL的含量显著增加(P<0.05),HE染色肝组织变性坏死累及全小叶.与CCI4组比较,PtPs CCI4组血清中ALT、AST、TBIL、DBIL和IBIL的含量显著下降(P<0.05);PtPs CCI4组HE染色病变程度较轻,变性坏死局限于肝小叶的Ⅲ区;PtPs CCl4组胞浆中SOD活性提高,MDA水平降低(P相似文献   

In vitro investigation of a standardized dried extract of Citrullus colocynthis on liver toxicity in adult rats.

A standardized extract of Citrullus colocynthis used as an oral natural laxative in folk medicine was tested for its influence on liver function parameters in vitro. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) dependent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under the influence of Citrullus colocynthis extract was investigated by means of stimulated lipid peroxidation (LPO), H2O2 formation and amplified chemiluminescence in rat liver microsomes. In rat liver 9000 x g supernatants 4 monooxygenase reactions mediated by different CYP forms were measured. Putative hepatotoxic effects of Citrullus colocynthis extract were measured by means of potassium and GSH concentrations in and LDH leakage from precision-cut rat liver slices. For possible hepatoprotective effects the influence of the extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced changes of these parameters was investigated. Citrullus colocynthis extract in concentrations higher than 10 microg/ml incubation mixture proved to inhibit lipid peroxidation and ROS-production as well as CYP1A-, 2B- and 3A-dependent reactions with typical substrates. In contrast, H2O2 production was not reduced under the influence of the extract, a slight but significant increase was seen. Citrullus colocynthis extract was found to be free of hepatotoxic effects in concentrations up to 100 microg/ml incubation mixture when liver slices were incubated in William's medium E for 22 hours. All viability parameters used were not influenced by the extract of Citrullus colocynthis. Carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity could not be prevented or alleviated. Moreover, the damage was sometimes enhanced by higher extract concentrations.     

Hepatoprotective effect of the natural fruit juice from Aronia melanocarpa on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage in rats.

The fruits of Aronia melanocarpa are rich in anthocyanins--plant pigments with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. We studied the effect of the natural fruit juice from A. melanocarpa (NFJAM) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver damage in rats. Histopathological changes such as necrosis, fatty change, ballooning degeneration and inflammatory infiltration of lymphocytes around the central veins occurred in rats following acute exposure to CCl4 (0.2 ml kg(-1), 2 days). The administration of CCl4 increased plasma aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities, induced lipid peroxidation (as measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) content in rat liver and plasma) and caused a depletion of liver reduced glutathione (GSH). NFJAM (5, 10 and 20 ml kg(-1), 4 days) dose-dependently reduced the necrotic changes in rat liver and inhibited the increase of plasma AST and ALT activities, induced by CCl4 (0.2ml kg(-1), 3rd and 4th days). NFJAM also prevented the CCl4-induced elevation of MDA formation and depletion of GSH content in rat liver.     

细脚拟青霉多糖对抗四氯化碳诱导的急性肝损伤

目的：观察细脚拟青霉粗多糖（cPtPs）及其纯化多糖（PtPs）对四氯化碳（CCl4）诱导大鼠急性肝坏死的影响。方法：将Wistar大鼠分为4组（对照组、CCl4组、cPtPs +CCl4组和PtPs +CCl4组），分别用生理盐水、cPtPs和PtPs灌胃15 d，最后2 d，腹腔注射CCl4，16 h后全自动生化分析仪检测血清中丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、总胆红素（TBIL）、直接胆红素（DBIL）和间接胆红素（IBIL）；肝组织苏木素-伊红（HE）染色观察病变程度；黄嘌呤氧化酶法和硫代巴比妥酸法分别检测肝匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和丙二醛（MDA）；甲基百里香酚蓝比色法测定肝细胞线粒体中Ca2+ 浓度；免疫组织化学法检测肝组织中α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）的表达。结果：与对照组比较，CCl4组血清中ALT、AST、TBIL、DBIL和IBIL的含量显著增加（P＜0.05），HE染色肝组织变性坏死累及全小叶。与CCl4组比较，PtPs+CCl4组血清中ALT、AST、TBIL、DBIL和IBIL的含量显著下降（P＜0.05）；PtPs +CCl4组HE染色病变程度较轻，变性坏死局限于肝小叶的Ⅲ区；PtPs +CCl4组胞浆中SOD活性提高， MDA水平降低（P＜0.05）；PtPs +CCl4组和cPtPs +CCl4组线粒体中Ca2+ 浓度均下降（分别为P＜0.05，P＜0.01）；PtPs +CCl4组α-SMA在肝组织的坏死区几乎无表达。结论：PtPs能显著减轻CCl4诱导的肝损伤，可能与PtPs抗脂质过氧化作用相关，效果优于cPtPs。     

Antifertility activity of aqueous ethanolic leaf extract of Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae) in rats

Background

Despite the availability of modern (orthodox) medicine, many developing countries, especially in the rural areas, still rely heavily on traditional healers and medicinal plants to meet their primary health care needs and that of their domestic animals. This has been attributed to easy accessibility and low cost of herbal medicine. In Eastern Nigeria, fresh leaves of Spondias mombin is widely used by the natives to aid delivery and to expel the placenta in small ruminants (sheep and goats), especially during difficult labour.

Objective

The present study was designed to evaluate the in vivo effects of leaf extracts of S. mombin on reproductive performance of female rats.

Methods

Acute toxicity test of the plant extract was carried out in rats of both sexes. The anticonceptive and abortifacient activity of the extract were investigated, including the Fertility Index or embryo score of control and treated animals. The estrogenic activity was determined using ovariectomized rats.

Results

The results revealed a relatively non-toxic plant extract. The extract displayed anticonceptive but not abortifacient activity as judged by the number of pregnant animals at the end of the third trimester of pregnancy. The extract did not exhibit any oestrogenic activity.

Conclusion

Aqueous ethanol leaf extract of S. mombin has significant anticonceptive activity attributed to a direct action of the extract on the uterus.     

Hepatoprotective effect of acetonic and methanolic extracts of Heterotheca inuloides against CCl4-induced toxicity in rats

A model of hepatotoxicity by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in rats was used in order to evaluate the protective potential of the acetonic and methanolic extracts of Heterotheca inuloides. Pretreatment with the two H. inuloides extracts attenuated the increase in the activity of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) observed in CCl₄-induced liver injury. The protective effect was confirmed by the analysis of tissue slides stained with hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid/Schiff’s reagent. Additionally, the two extracts are scavengers to the superoxide radical as was observed by electron paramagnetic resonance. Due to the fact that the methanolic extract resulted in a better protective effect in the previous experiments, it was used to investigate in more detail the mechanism of hepatoprotection. Quercetin, one of the main components of the extract, with known hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity was used as a positive control. Pretreatment of animals with the methanolic extract or quercetin, was associated with the prevention of 4-hydroxynonenal and 3-nitrotyrosine increase in the liver, two markers of oxidative stress. Furthermore, the decrease in the activity of several antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in CCl₄-induced liver injury was alleviated by the pretreatment with H. inuloides methanolic extract or quercetin. These results suggest that the hepatoprotective capacity of H. inuloides methanolic extract is associated with its antioxidant properties, which would also explain the biomedical properties attributed to this plant.     

Hepatoprotective effects of whey protein isolate against acute liver toxicity induced by dimethylnitrosamine in rat

In order to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of whey protein isolate against acute liver toxicity induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), a randomized experimental study was conducted. Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. Groups A and B consumed a diet containing casein, and group C received a diet containing whey protein isolate for 18 days. Group A was then given an intraperitoneal saline injection. It continued on the casein diet for another 4 days before being sacrificed. Each animal in groups B and C was given a single intraperitoneal injection of DMN (30 mg/kg) on the 18th day of the study. All groups continued their diets for 4 days before their euthanasia. The supply of whey protein diet resulted in a decrease in aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and malondialdehyde (MDA). Morphological and biochemical data suggested that a diet containing whey protein isolate decreased DMN-induced liver damage and, therefore, had beneficial effects on hepatic failure.     

阿霉素前体脂质体对大鼠心肝毒性及对实验性肿瘤的作用

目的：研究阿霉素前体脂质体［ｄｏｘｏｒｕｂｉｃｉｎ（ＤＲ）,ｐｒｏｌｉｐｏｓｏｍｅ（ＰＬ）,ＤＲＰＬ］对大鼠心肝毒性及对荷瘤小鼠的抗肿瘤活性。方法：以酶活性变化为指标,结合病理组织学检查,观察药物对大鼠的心肝毒性及荷瘤小鼠的生命延长率和药物的抗肿瘤活性。实验动物分为ＤＲＰＬ组和ＤＲ组,其中２．００,１４０,０９８ｍｇ·ｋｇ１对应剂量观察药物对大鼠的毒性;４,２,１ｍｇ·ｋｇ１对应剂量观察药物的抗肿瘤活性。结果：与ＤＲＰＬ相比,ＤＲ可明显增加大鼠血清ＬＤＨ、ＣＫ、ＧＰＴ及ＧＯＴ的活性,ＤＲＰＬ对大鼠心肌细胞的损伤明显小于ＤＲ。相同剂量间相比ＤＲＰＬ延长腹水型小鼠移植瘤ＥＡＣ、Ｈｅｐｓ的存活天数明显高于ＤＲ。结论：ＤＲＰＬ对大鼠心肝毒性明显小于相同剂量的ＤＲ,ＤＲＰＬ不但保持了ＤＲ的抗肿瘤活性,而且有明显增效作用。     

Hepatoprotective effect of parthenolide in rat model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Context: The active ingredients of traditional medical herbs have been the focus of scientific interests.

Objective: This study was designed to explore the mechanisms of actions of parthenolide on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Materials and methods: Thirty-five male Wistar rats were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for eight weeks with or without an intraperitoneal injection of parthenolide to develop NAFLD. Liver triacylglycerol (TG), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidative status (TOS), thiobarbituric acid reactant substances (TBARs), total thiol groups and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) levels as well as liver ALT, AST and catalase activities were determined. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR was performed to obtain hepatic gene expression levels of TNF-α, CYP2E1 and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB).

Results: HFD caused a significant weight gain and increased liver TG content as well as alteration in ALT and AST activities, which were attenuated after administration of parthenoide (p?p?κB and CYP2E1 at the both gene expression and protein levels were found associated with necroinflammatory changes in histopathological observations and were abrogated almost completely after parthenolide treatment. Oxidative and inflammatory changes observed in HFD fed rats were indicative of NAFLD, which were suppressed with parthenolide treatment.

Conclusions: Based on these results, parthenolide might be a candidate agent for preventing NAFLD due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative potency.