Abstract
Purpose: To determine the effect of rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa L) extract on glutathione-S-trasferase (GST) activity and its hepatoprotective effect.Methods: A total of 25 rats were divided randomly into 5 groups (5 rats per group). Group I served as the baseline, group II was the negative control group, while groups III, IV and V were treated with rosella extract at doses of 10, 50 and 100 mg /kg /day, respectively for 35 days. On day 36, the animals were given a single dose of dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (DMBA) orally. After one week, blood was taken from the sinus orbitalis for measurement of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) activities by a kinetic method with DIasys® kit. The activity of GST was measured in liver homogenate using 1-choloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) method, while the expression of GST gene was determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results: Treatment with rosella extract at 10, 50 and 100 mg /kg for 35 days led to significant increasesin GST activity relative to the control group. In addition, serum SGPT and SGOT activities were significantly decreased. There were significant increases in the expression of GST gene as evidenced by increased GST band intensity.Conclusion: These results indicate that rosella possesses significant hepatoprotective effect against hepatic injury caused by DMBA treatment. Thus, rosella may be useful for the prevention of oxidative stress caused by free radicals produced from pollutants and foods.Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa, Rosella, Glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), glutathion-S-transferase (GST)
Highlights
Free radicals are highly reactive molecules since they have one or more unpaired electrons
Endogenous and exogenous antioxidants act to prevent and repair damage caused by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species; they boost the immune system and reduce the risk of cancer and degenerative diseases [1,2]
The rosella extract led to significant decreases in dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced elevations in the activities serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) (Table 1)
Summary
Free radicals are highly reactive molecules since they have one or more unpaired electrons. Their reactivities are reduced by electron donation from other molecules. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the development of chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer, arthritis, aging, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disease [1]. The human body produces endogenous antioxidants to fight oxidative stress. In the presence of excess levels of pro-oxidants, exogenous antioxidants from food and supplements are needed. Endogenous and exogenous antioxidants act to prevent and repair damage caused by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species; they boost the immune system and reduce the risk of cancer and degenerative diseases [1,2]
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