Effect of picroliv on antioxidant-system in liver of rats,after partial hepatectomy

Levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in the serum of rats increased maximally at 12 h and bilirubin at 24 h, while total proteins decreased maximally at 48 h after partial hepatectomy. The levels of total lipids, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in liver increased maximally at 12 h and catalase at 24 h, but the activities of peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and superoxide dismutase decreased maximally at 12 h. After the period of maximal initial increase/decrease, the changes in these parameters in liver and serum started recovering towards their prehepatectomy levels. When a similar study was performed in rats fed 12 mg/kg body wt picroliv (an iridoid glycoside fraction of Picrorhiza kurroa) once daily for 7 days, the rate of recovery of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in serum and total lipids, reduced glutathione, peroxidase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase in liver was faster.     

Stimulation of protein biosynthesis in rat hepatocytes by extracts of Momordica charantia

The in vivo effect of the administration of extracts of Momordica charantia on certain biochemical parameters of Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated. It was observed that there was an increase in muscle and liver protein levels, while there was a reduction in the levels of brain protein, muscle and liver glycogen. The activities of plasma L-alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were reduced. The L-aspartate transaminase and adenosine triphosphatase activities were slightly elevated in whole plant extract treated rats while the L-aspartate transaminase was unaffected by the ethanol extract but reduced the adenosine triphosphatase activity.     

Effects of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) on the liver of diabetic rats: a morphological and biochemical study

Parsley is used by diabetics in Turkey to reduce blood glucose. The present study aims to investigate both the morphological and biochemical effects of parsley on liver tissue. Rat hepatocytes were examined by light and electron microscopy. Degenerative changes were observed in the hepatocytes of diabetic rats. These degenerative changes were significantly reduced or absent in the hepatocytes of diabetic rats treated with parsley. Blood glucose levels, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were observed to be raised in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats treated with parsley demonstrated significantly lower levels of blood glucose, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase. The present study suggests that parsley demonstrates a significant hepatoprotective effect in diabetic rats.     

An evaluation of the toxicity of the oils of Cymbopogon citratus and Citrus medica in rats

In the present study the effect of chronic ingestion of a diet treated with different concentrations of essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus and Citrus medica on body weight, diet consumption, haemoglobin, total and differential leucocyte count, blood glucose, protein, cholesterol and urea levels and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activity has been investigated in albino rats. Rats in the treated groups showed a more pronounced increase in body weight in comparison to control rats after 60 days. The rats of the treated group consumed more diet than those of the control group. The haemoglobin percentage, total and differential leucocyte count, blood glucose, protein, cholesterol, urea, SGOT, SGPT and alkaline phosphatase did not differ significantly between the rats of control and treated groups.     

Evaluation of hepatoprotective effect of Amalkadi Ghrita against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in rats

Amalkadi Ghrita (AG), a polyherbal formulation, was evaluated for its hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatic damage in rats. The hepatoprotective activity of AG was evaluated by measuring levels of serum marker enzymes like serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and acid phosphatase (ACP). The serum levels of total proteins and bilirubin were also estimated. The histological studies were also carried out to support the above parameters. Silymarin was used as standard drug. Administration of AG (100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) markedly prevented CCl₄-induced elevation of levels of serum GPT, GOT, ACP, ALP, and bilirubin. The decreased level of total proteins due to hepatic damage induced by CCl₄ was found to be increased in AG-treated group. The results are comparable to that of silymarin. A comparative histopathological study of liver exhibited almost normal architecture, as compared to CCl₄-treated group. Hepatoprotective effect of AG is probably due to combined action of all ingredients.     

Protective effect of carrot (Daucus carota L.) against lindane - induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Daucus carota commonly known as carrot, is widely used in European folk medicine for the treatment of jaundice and hepatic disorders. Oral administration of carrot extract (25 mL/kg/day) for 30 days produced significant hepatoprotection against lindane (20 mg/kg/day) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The increased levels of serum enzymes namely aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol in lindane administered rats were observed to be decreased significantly in the lindane + carrot extract group. The carrot extract also restored the depressed antioxidants and HDL-cholesterol levels to near normal. The results of this study reveal that carrot could afford a significant protective effect against lindane-induced hepatotoxicity. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modulatory effects of ixora coccinea flower on cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity in mice.

The active fraction of Ixora coccinea flowers showed chemoprotective effects on cyclophosphamide - induced toxicity by increasing the life span of treated mice, preventing body weight loss and maintaining near normal leucocyte and haemoglobin levels compared with cyclophosphamide treated controls. Decreased serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAKP) levels in the Ixora coccinea treated groups indicated protection against hepatic toxicity. The active fraction was identified by phytochemical methods as the triterpenoid, ursolic acid.     

Protective role of curcumin in ethanol toxicity

The effect of curcumin on ethanol induced liver toxicity was evaluated. The increased levels of aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase induced by ethanol were significantly lowered by curcumin. Elevated serum cholesterol, phospholipids and free fatty acids were observed in ethanol fed rats, but on curcumin treatment they decreased. We have also observed a marked decrease in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in serum of alcoholic rats fed curcumin. Thus this study shows that curcumin offers protection against ethanol induced toxicity. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antioxidant and antihepatotoxic activities of Phellinus rimosus (Berk) Pilat

The antioxidant and antihepatotoxic activities of a wood inhabiting macrofungus, Phellinus rimosus were studied. The superoxide anion scavenging, Fe(2+)-ascorbate induced lipid peroxidation inhibiting, hydroxyl radical scavenging and nitric oxide scavenging activities of the ethyl acetate extract were determined. The results indicated that ethyl acetate extract of P. rimosus exhibited significant in vitro antioxidant activity. The ethyl acetate extract of P. rimosus also showed potent antihepatotoxic activity against carbontetrachloride-induced acute toxicity in rat liver. The amelioration of liver toxicity by the ethyl acetate extract was evident from its significant effect on the levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The results suggest that hepatoprotective effect of P. rimosus is possibly related to the free radical scavenging activity.     

Hepatoprotective effect of extracts from Pergularia daemia Forsk

Pergularia daemia (Asclepiadaceae) is a perennial herb growing widely along the road sides of India. It has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of liver disorders. The aim of this work is to study the hepatoprotective effect of crude ethanolic and aqueous extracts from the aerial parts of Pergularia daemia. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts obtained from aerial parts of Pergularia daemia were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity in rats by inducing liver damage by carbon tetrachloride. The ethanolic extract at an oral dose of 200 mg/kg exhibited a significant (P<0.05) protective effect by lowering serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and total cholesterol and increasing the levels of total protein and albumin levels as compared to silymarin used as a positive control. These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. The activity may be a result of the presence of flavonoid compounds. Furthermore, the acute toxicity of the extracts showed no signs of toxicity up to a dose level of 2000 mg/kg. Thus it could be concluded that ethanolic extract of Pergularia daemia possesses significant hepatoprotective properties.     

Protective effect of leaf extract of Ficus hispida Linn. against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The methanol extract of the leaves of Ficus hispida Linn. (Moraceae) was evaluated for hepatoprotective activity in rats by inducing acute liver damage by paracetamol (750 mg/kg, p.o.). The extract at an oral dose of 400 mg/kg exhibited a significant protective effect by lowering the serum levels of transaminase (SGOT and SGPT), bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. The activity of extract was also comparable to that of Liv-52 a known hepatoprotective formulation.     

Protective role of Melissa officinalis L. extract on liver of hyperlipidemic rats: a morphological and biochemical study

In this study, the effects of Melissa officinalis L. extract on hyperlipidemic rats were investigated, morphologically and biochemically. The animals were fed a lipogenic diet consisting of 2% cholesterol, 20% sunflower oil and 0.5% cholic acid added to normal chow and were given 3% ethanol for 42 days. The plant extract was given by gavage technique to rats to a dose of 2 g/kg every day for 28, 14 days after experimental animals done hyperlipidemia. The degenerative changes were observed in hyperlipidemic rats, light and electron microscopically. There was a significant increase in the levels of serum cholesterol, total lipid, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a significant decrease in the levels of liver tissue glutathione (GSH), a significant increase in the levels of tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO) in this group. On the other hand, the administration of Melissa officinalis L. extract reduced total cholesterol, total lipid, ALT, AST and ALP levels in serum, and LPO levels in liver tissue, moreover increased glutathione levels in the tissue. As a result, it was suggested that Melissa officinalis L. extract exerted an hypolipidemic effect and showed a protective effect on the liver of hyperlipidemic rats.     

Hepatoprotective activity of Emblica officinalis and Chyavanaprash

Hepatoprotective activity of Emblica officinalis (EO) and Chyavanaprash (CHY) extracts were studied using carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced liver injury model in rats. EO and CHY extracts were found to inhibit the hepatotoxicity produced by acute and chronic CCl(4) administration as seen from the decreased levels of serum and liver lipid peroxides (LPO), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Chronic CCl(4) administration was also found to produce liver fibrosis as seen from the increased levels of collagen-hydroxyproline and pathological analysis. EO and CHY extracts were found to reduce these elevated levels significantly, indicating that the extract could inhibit the induction of fibrosis in rats.     

芍药苷对大鼠慢性肝损伤及肝纤维化的保护作用

目的观察芍药苷(PF)对四氯化碳(CCl4)所致大鼠慢性肝损伤及纤维化的治疗作用。方法将大鼠随机分为6组,利用高脂低蛋白饲料和CCl4制作大鼠肝损伤模型,并同时给予相应药物灌胃,9周后取材送检。血液生化检测肝功能指标:丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、总胆红素(TBil);放射免疫法测定肝纤维化指标:透明质酸(HA)、层黏连蛋白(LN)、Ⅳ型胶原(CⅣ);制备肝干粉,分光光度计检测羟脯氨酸(Hyp)。结果模型组大鼠血清ALT、AST、HA、CⅣ和肝组织中Hyp明显高于正常组(P<0.05或0.01);与模型组比较,芍药苷3个剂量组可明显降低肝纤维化大鼠血清中ALT、AST;芍药苷408,0 mg/kg剂量组可明显降低肝纤维化大鼠血清中HA含量及根据肝组织羟脯氨酸(Hyp)含量计算的胶原蛋白量(P<0.05和0.01)。结论芍药苷对慢性肝损伤及纤维化有保护作用。     

Hepatoprotective activity of Luffa echinata fruits

The different extracts of the fruits of Luffa echinata Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae) were tested for their hepatoprotective activity against CCl(4) induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. The degree of protection was measured by using biochemical parameters like serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), total protein (TP) and total albumin (TA). The petroleum ether, acetone and methanolic extracts showed a significant hepatoprotective activity comparable with those of Silymarin.     

Effect of pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo) protein isolate on the activity levels of certain plasma enzymes in CCl4-induced liver injury in low-protein fed rats

The effects of pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo) protein isolate on the activity levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LD), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury in low-protein fed rats were investigated. A group of male Sprague-Dawley rats maintained on a low-protein diet for 5 days were divided into three subgroups. Two subgroups were injected with carbon tetrachloride and the other group with an equivalent amount of olive oil. Two hours after CCl4 intoxication one of the two subgroups was administered with pumpkin seed protein isolate. All three subgroups of rats were maintained on the low-protein diet for the duration of the investigation. Groups of rats from the different subgroups were killed at 24, 48 and 72 h after their respective treatments. After 5 days on the low-protein diet the activity levels of all four enzymes were significantly higher than their counterparts on a normal balanced diet. CCl4 intoxication resulted in significant increases in the activity levels of all four enzymes investigated. The administration of pumpkin seed protein isolate after CCl4 intoxication resulted in significantly reduced activity levels of all four enzymes. It is concluded that pumpkin seed protein isolate administration was effective in alleviating the detrimental effects associated with protein malnutrition.     

Effects of Nigella unguicularis fixed oil on blood biochemistry and oxidant/antioxidant balance in rats

In the present study, Nigella unguicularis (Lam.) Spenner (Ranunculaceae) (Nu) fixed oil was administered orally to Wistar Kyoto rats for 4 weeks. The effects of the oil on serum lipid profile, haematological parameters and oxidant/antioxidant balance were investigated. The study showed that daily administration of the oil (1 ml/kg orally for 4 weeks) caused a significant decrease in serum total cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose levels and a significant elevation of serum high-density lipoprotein level. The serum transaminases ( aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT)), alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, urea, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration decreased significantly while albumin, mean corpuscular volume and fibrinogen levels increased significantly compared to control values. The administration of the oil (1 ml/kg orally for 4 weeks) caused a significant increase total antioxidant status in rats. Treatment with Nigella unguicularis oil did not effect malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. It is concluded that Nigella unguicularis oil possesses favourable metabolic effects on blood biochemistry and oxidant/antioxidant balance in rats.     

Chemoprevention and cytotoxic effect of Bauhinia variegata against N-nitrosodiethylamine induced liver tumors and human cancer cell lines

The chemopreventive and cytotoxic effect of ethanol extract of Bauhinia variegata (EBV) was evaluated in N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg) induced experimental liver tumor in rats and human cancer cell lines. Oral administration of ethanol extract of Bauhinia variegata (250 mg/kg) effectively suppressed liver tumor induced by DEN as revealed by decrease in DEN induced elevated levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, gamma glutamate transpeptidase (GGTP), lipid peroxidase (LPO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). The extract produced an increase in enzymatic antioxidant (superoxide dismutase and catalase) levels and total proteins when compared to those in liver tumor bearing rats. The histopathological changes of liver samples were compared with respective controls. EBV was found to be cytotoxic against human epithelial larynx cancer (HEp2) and human breast cancer (HBL-100) cells. These results show a significant chemopreventive and cytotoxic effect of ethanol extract of Bauhinia variegata against DEN induced liver tumor and human cancer cell lines.     

The clinical investigation of citrullus colocynthis (L.) schrad fruit in treatment of Type II diabetic patients: a randomized,double blind,placebo‐controlled clinical trial

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad fruit is an herbal medicine used by traditional herbalists for the treatment of diabetes in Iran. To determine its efficacy and toxicity, a 2 month clinical trial was conducted in 50 type II diabetic patients. Two groups of 25 each under standard antidiabetic therapy, received 100 mg C. colocynthis fruit capsules or placebos three times a day, respectively. The patients were visited monthly and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglyceride, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, urea and creatinine levels were determined at the beginning and after 2 months. The results showed a significant decrease in HbA1c and fasting blood glucose levels in C. colocynthis treated patients. Other serological parameters levels in both the groups did not change significantly. No notable gastrointestinal side effect was observed in either group. In conclusion, C. colocynthis fruit treatment had a beneficial effect on improving the glycemic profile without severe adverse effects in type II diabetic patients. Further clinical studies are recommended to evaluate the long‐term efficacy and toxicity of C. colocynthis in diabetic patients. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Momordica dioica Roxb. leaves

In present study, the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Momordica dioica Roxb. leaves were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage in rats. The extracts at dose of 200mg/kg were administered orally once daily. The substantially elevated serum enzymatic levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (AST), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT), serum alkaline phosphatase (SALP) and total bilirubin were restored towards normalization significantly by the extracts. Silymarin was used as standard reference and exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced haptotoxicity in rats. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. The results of this study strongly indicate that Momordica dioica Roxb. leaves have potent hepatoprotective action against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in rats. Ethanolic extract was found more potent hepatoprotective. Meanwhile, in vivo antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities were also screened which were positive for both ethanolic and aqueous extracts. This study suggests that possible mechanism of this activity may be due to free radical-scavenging and antioxidant activities which may be due to the presence of flavonoids in the extracts.