Hepatoprotective effects of Flagellaria indica are mediated through the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers in rats |
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Authors: | Charles Gnanaraj Muhammad Dawood Shah Jaafar Sadeq Makki |
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Institution: | 1. Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sabah, Malaysia;2. Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sabah, Malaysia |
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Abstract: | Context The antioxidative properties of plants or plant derivative products are well known for their free radical scavenging effects. Flagellaria indica L. (Flagellariaceae) (FI) is a tropical medicinal plant used by the natives of Sabah as medication for semi-paralysis.Objective This study evaluates the hepatoprotective mechanism of FI against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-mediated liver damage.Materials and methods Aqueous extract of FI leaves was orally administered to adult Sprague–Dawley rats once daily for 14 consecutive days at 300, 400, and 500?mg/kg b.w. prior to CCl4 treatment (1.0?mL/kg b.w.) on the 13th and 14th days.Results Total phenolic content in the aqueous extract of FI leaves was 65.88?±?1.84?mg gallic acid equivalent/g. IC50 value for free radical scavenging activity of FI aqueous extract was reached at the concentration of 400?μg/mL. Biochemical studies show that the aqueous extract of FI was able to prevent the increase in levels of serum transaminases, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase (38–74% recovery), and malondialdehyde formation (25–87% recovery) in a dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemical results evidenced the suppression of oxidative stress markers (4-hydroxynonenal and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine) and pro-inflammatory markers (tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, prostaglandin E2). Histopathological and hepatocyte ultrastructural alterations proved that there were protective effects in FI against CCl4-mediated liver injury. Signs of toxicity were not present in rats treated with FI alone (500?mg/kg b.w.).Discussion and conclusion It can be concluded that the presence of phenolic constituents and their antioxidative effects can be credited to the hepatoprotective activity of FI. |
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Keywords: | Antioxidant enzymes histopathology immuno-histochemistry electron microscopy |
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