Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Artemisia dracunculus against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of flowers of Nerium oleander against CCl4–induced liver injury in rats

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of Nyctanthes arbor –tristis leaf fractions. The petroleum ether, ethylacetate and butanolic fractions of Nyctanthes arbor –tristis leaves were studied to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Oral administration of the fractions at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg once daily for 10 days significantly restored normalization of serum enzyme levels, viz. glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and markers viz. total bilirubin and direct bilirubin and the results were comparable to the effects of Liv 52. The ethylacetate and butanolic extract at the dose of 400 mg/kg was found to be more potent when compared to petroleum ether extract at similar dose. The hepatoprotection is also supported by histopathology of treated animals. In regard to antioxidant activity, ethylacetate and butanolic fractions exhibited a significant effect showing increased levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic parameters, viz. catalase, GSH, SOD and decreased level of malondialdhyde (MDA). The results of this study strongly indicate that Nyctanthes arbor –tristis leaves have potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective action against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats which may be due to the presence phytoconstituents such as flavonoids.

Mangifera indica (Tommy Atkins) peels, commonly known as mango, is a pharmacologically, ethnomedically, and phytochemically diverse plant. Peels is a major by-product during processing of mango fruit into pulp. In the present study, Thirteen pure bioactive compounds were isolated from methanolic peels extract. Six of them are new ellagitannins,namely,1,2,3,4,6 -Penta-O-galloyl-s-4C1-glupyranose (3); 2,3,6-Tri-O-galloyl-(α/β)-4C1-glucopyranose(4); 2,3-Di-O-galloyl-(α/β)-4C1-glucopyranose,Nilocitin(6);3,6-Di-O-galloyl-(α/β)-4C1-glucopyranose(8);1,6 -Di-O-galloyl- β-4C1-glucopyranose (9) ; 1,3-Di-O-galloyl-β-4C1- glucose (11), which were analyzed for the first time from M. indica (Tommy Atkins) peels. The ameliorative effect of the methanolic extract of M. indica (Tommy Atkins) peels towards the CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats through measuring certain biochemical parameters content in the liver were analyzed. The CCl4-treated rats showed a significant decline in the studied the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), albumin (A) as well as the hepatic levels of glutathione (GSH) and activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) , glutathione reductase (GR), elevation in the levels of total lipids (TL), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), globulin (G), total bilirubin (TBil) , alanine and aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase (ALAT and ASAT, ALP) and the hepatic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA). In contrast, the administration of methanol extract, notably improved all the studied parameters. This study showed that CCl4 administration to Wistar rats, at a high dose level, could induce a hepatic injury in addition to certain metabolic alterations. The work was extended to investigate tissue histopathology. Thus, results suggest that the peels extract can be a potential source of an attractive candidate for ameliorating of hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 through scavenging free radicals, improved liver functions, and normalizing the liver histopathological architecture.

Hepatoprotective Action of Dehydrozingerone in Carbon Tetrachloride and Thioacetamide-induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

Study of Silymarin on Ethanol Induced Hepatotoxicity and Expression of Bcl-2, Bax and p53 Levels

The present study was conducted to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of hydro-ethanolic fruit extract of Rosa canina (R. canina) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into six groups of 8 animals of each, including control, toxic (CCl4), R. canina 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg + CCl4 and R. canina 750 mg/kg alone. R. canina (p.o., daily) and CCl4 (1 ml/kg twice a week, 50% v/v in olive oil, i.p.) were administered to animals for six weeks. Serum analysis was performed to assay the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB), total protein (TP) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Biochemical observations were also supplemented with histopathological examination (haematoxylin and eosin staining) of liver section. Hepatotoxicity was evidenced by considerable increase in serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, and lipid peroxidation (MDA) and decrease in levels of ALB and TP. Injection of CCL4 also induced congestion in central vein, and lymphocyte infiltration. Treatment with hydro-alcoholic fruit extract of R. canina at doses of 500 and 750 mg/kg significantly reduced CCl4-elevated levels of ALT, AST, ALP and MDA (p<0.01). The extract also increased the serum levels of ALB and TP compared to CCl4 group (p<0.01) at the indicated dose Histopathological studies supported the biochemical finding. Our finding indicated hepatoprotective effects of the hydro-alcoholic fruit extract of R. canina on CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats and suggested that these effects may be produced through reducing oxidative stress.

It has been proposed carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) intoxication due to the production of free radicals and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) overload results hepatotoxicity. Phosphatidylserine (PS) has shown antioxidant activity in numerous studies. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effects of PS liposomes treatment against the CCl4 -induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model. Male Wistar rats were treated with PS (10 mg/kg, oral) or phosphatidylcholine liposomes (PC) (10 mg/kg, oral) for 3 days before CCl4 (2 ml/kg; ip once on the third day) injection. The serum level of ALT, AST, and ALP were measured. Also, antioxidant assays were performed. Administration of PS with CCl4 significantly inhibited alterations in the serum levels of AST, ALP (** P < 0.01), and ALT (*** P < 0.001) compared with control group. Furthermore, measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels indicated that PS significantly reduced reactive oxygen species. The results of the present study showed the hepatoprotective effects of PS against CCl4 -induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Phyllanthus niruri L. is a widespread tropical plant which is used in Ayurvedic system for liver and kidney ailments. The present study aims at specifying the most active hepatoprotective extract of P. niruri and applying a bio-guided protocol to identify the active compounds responsible for this effect. P. niruri aerial parts were extracted separately with water, 50%, 70% and 80% ethanol. The cytoprotective activity of the extracts was evaluated against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in clone-9 and Hepg2 cells. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the aqueous extract (AE) was accomplished for the isolation of the active compounds. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging method and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The in vivo hepatoprotective activity of AE was evaluated in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats at different doses after determination of its LD50. Pretreatment of clone-9 and Hepg2 with different concentrations of AE (1, 0.1, 0.01 mg/ml) had significantly reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) against CCl4 injures, and restored the activity of the natural antioxidants; glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) towards normalization. Fractionation of AE gave four fractions (I-IV). Fractions I, II, and IV showed a significant in vitro hepatoprotective activity. Purification of I, II and IV yielded seven compounds; corilagin C1, isocorilagin C2, brevifolin C3, quercetin C4, kaempferol rhamnoside C5, gallic acid C6, and brevifolin carboxylic acid C7. Compounds C1, C2, C5, and C7 showed the highest (p< 0.001) hepatoprotective potency, while C3, C4, and C6 exhibited a moderate (p< 0.001) activity. The AE exhibited strong antioxidant DPPH (IC50 11.6 ± 2 μg/ml) and FRAP (79.352 ± 2.88 mM Ferrous equivalents) activity. In vivo administration of AE in rats (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) caused normalization of AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total cholesterol (TC), triglycyrides (TG), total bilirubin (TB), glucose, total proteins (TP), urea and creatinine levels which were elevated by CCl4. AE also decreased TNF-α, NF-KB, IL-6, IL-8, IL10 and COX-2 expression, and significantly antagonizes the effect of CCl4 on the antioxidant enzymes SOD, catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GSP). The histopathological study also supported the hepatoprotective effect of AE. P. niruri isolates exhibited a potent hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in clone-9 and Hepg2 cell lines through reduction of lipid peroxidation and maintaining glutathione in its reduced form. This is attributable to their phenolic nature and hence antioxidative potential.

Ficus plants have traditionally been used as potential remedies for treating various diseases. Hepatotoxicity is one of the severe threats to human health which must be adequately cured. The study was planned to investigate the hepato-protective potential of methanolic extracts of fruit and leaves of Ficus carica and Ficus benghalensis against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in an experimental rat model. The study was planned using a randomized control design (RCD). The study included 6 groups of animals (n= 5 per group) having average body weight (230±20 g), out of which 5 groups were treated with CCl4 (15 µL kg-1 body weight), and the remaining one was left as healthy control. Four of the five CCl4-treated groups were administered individually with fruit and leaf extracts (25 mg kg-1 body weight) of F. carica and F. benghalensis, while the fifth was left as CCl4-treated control. The total serum bilirubin (TSB), total serum protein (TSP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels of the control group during the treatment period ranged from 0.54±0.16 to 0.59±0.15 mgdL-1, 8.56±0.73 to 8.66±0.75 gdL-1, 46.00±21.41 to 49.41±22.68 UL-1, 41.6±13.99 to 44.41±13.16 UL-1, and 139.80±28.72 to 145.62±28.82 UL-1, respectively. CCl4 administration significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the TSB, ALT, AST, and ALP levels in the range of 1.48±0.30-2.30±0.19 mgdL-1, 147.6±34.22 to 233.81±14.94 UL-1, 118.8±15.88 to 167.8±16.4143 UL-1, and 213.8±21.46 to 260±26.664 UL-1, respectively. The elevated TSB, ALT, AST, and ALP levels were significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased after F. carica and F. benghalens extract treatment to 1.06±0.15-1.70±0.21 mgdL-1, 115.00±28.19-190.21±25.68 UL-1, 89.8±16.29-111.8±23.81 UL-1, and 195.38±42.29-218.4±35.02 UL-1 respectively. Moreover, TSP level was significantly decreased after CCl4 administration and improved after extract treatment. It was concluded that methanolic extract from the leaf and fruit of both F. benghalensis and F. carica protects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Keywords: Hepatoprotective potential, Ficus carica, Ficus benghalensis, Hepatic damage, Experimental rat model

Methanolic extract and fractions, ethylacetate (EtF) and butanol (BuF) of leaves of African mistletoe (Tapinanthus bangwensis, Engl. & K. Krause) were evaluated for their hepatoprotective potential using CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. The activities of the marker enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin were highest in rats treated with CCl4 alone. Oral administration at a fixed dose of 400 mg/kg body weight (BW) of the extract and fractions of T. bangwensis for seven days significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased the activity of marker enzymes and bilirubin. Total protein concentration increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05). These extracts also decreased the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) which indicated a reduction in lipid peroxidation. Histopathological examination of hepatocytes of rats administered methanolic extract (MeE) and fractions (EtF and BuF) showed normal architecture whereas rats treated with CCl4 alone was characterized by necrosis of the liver. Generally, among the three extracts, the BuF and EtF showed more hepatoprotective effect. The crude methanolic extract did not show any mortality up to a dose of 2000 g/kg BW. These findings suggest that T. bangwensis possesses strong antioxidant properties and hepatoprotective potentials against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

The alcoholic extract of stem of Indigofera aspalathoides was evaluated for its antihepatotoxic activity against CCl(4)-induced hepatic damage in rats. The activity was evaluated by using biochemical parameters, such as serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin and gama glutamate transpeptidase (GGTP). The histopathological changes of liver sample were compared with respective control. The extract showed remarkable hepatoprotective effect.

The alcohol extract of the whole plant of Enicostemma littorale. Blume was evaluated for its antihepatotoxic activity against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats. The activity was evaluated by using biochemical parameters, such as serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and γ.-glutamate transpeptidase. The histopathological changes of liver sample were compared with respective controls. The extract showed a remarkable hepatoprotective effect.

Ethanol extract of Solanum nigrum LINN was investigated for its hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats. The ethanol extract showed remarkable hepatoprotective activity. The activity was evaluated using biochemical parameters such as serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin. The histopathological changes of liver sample in treated animals were compared with respect to control.

In the present study, the hepatoprotective effects of petroleum ether (FRPE) and methanol (FRME) extract of Ficus racemosa Linn. (Moraceae) stem bark were studied using the model of hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. CCl4 administration induced a significant decrease in serum total protein, albumin, urea and a significant increase (P ≤ 0.01) in total bilirubin associated with a marked elevation in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as compared to control rats. Further, CCl4 intoxication caused significant increase in the TBARS and decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels in serum, liver and kidney. Pretreatment with FRPE and FRME restored total protein and albumin to near normal levels. Both the extracts resulted in significant decreases in the activities of AST, ALT and ALP, compared to CCl4-treated rats. However, a greater degree of reduction was observed in FRME pretreated group (FRPE 43%, 38%, and 33%; FRME 55%, 73%, and 38%). Total bilirubin content decreased from 2.1 mg/dL in CCl4-treated rats to 0.8 and 0.3 mg/dL in FRPE and FRME pretreated rats, respectively. The extracts improved the antioxidant status considerably as reflected by low TBARS and high GSH values. FRME exhibited higher hepatoprotective activity than a standard liver tonic (Liv52), while the protective effect of FRPE was similar to that of Liv52. The protective effect of F. racemosa was confirmed by histopathological profiles of the liver. The results indicate that F. racemosa possesses potent hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats.

The available conventional remedies for the treatment of drug-induced liver diseases are highly inadequate and possess serious adverse effects; therefore, the development of new, effective drugs is considered necessary. This article explores the hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of 7-methylcoumarin (MC) and 7-methoxycoumarin (MOC) in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. MC and MOC individually, at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight, were administered orally once-daily for 7 days. The hepatoprotective activity was assessed using various biochemical parameters, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum bilirubin (TB), total protein (TP), and albumin (TA). Serum antioxidant enzyme [e.g., superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] levels were determined. Also, thiobarbituric-acid–related substances (TBARS) levels, along with histopathological studies of liver tissue, were scrutinized. Pretreatment with MC and MOC significantly decreased ALT, AST, and TB in the serum of CCl4-induced liver damaged rats in a dose-dependent manner. TA and TP levels in the serum were also restored significantly in all presupplemented MC and MOC groups. In addition, oxidative stress induced by CCl4 was prevented significantly; thereby, increasing SOD and CAT levels and decreasing TBARS levels in liver homogenates. Histopathological studies revealed the ameliorative natures of both the compounds. This study demonstrates the strong hepatoprotective activity of MC and MOC, which could be attributed to their potent antioxidant effects.