Abstract
Pathogenesis of several chronic liver diseases has been attributed to overwhelmed antioxidant protective system against reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present study ascertained the capacity of short-term administration of ethanolic extract of Allium sativa to neutralize ROS and ameliorate hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia was induced in rats by single intra-peritoneal injection of CCl4 (dosage = 2.0 mL/kg), followed by treatment with ethanolic extract of A. sativa (dosage: 200 and 400 mg/kg) at a regular interval of 16 for 64 h. Blood samples were drawn from the rats at t = 0 h and t = 76 h, that is, 12 h after the end of 64 h treatment with CCl4/A. sativa extract, to ascertain for hepatic function and serum lipid profile (SLP). In addition, liver post mitochondrial supernatant (PMS) fraction was measured for oxidative stress indicators: lipid peroxidation (LPOx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH). On the average, short-term administration of ethanolic extract of A. sativa caused reduction of SLP in the following magnitude: total cholesterol (TC) = 19.48%, triacylglycerol (TAG) = 48.59%, VLDL-C = 48.57%, LDL-C = 19.49% and increase in HDL-C = 32.43%. Also, improvement in oxidative stress indicators gave SOD = 10.20%, GPx = 30.92%, CAT = 18.18%, LPOx = 35.92% and GSH = 51.09%. Although the administration of A. sativa extract to the rats did not restore full therapeutic benefits within the experimental time (t = 76 h), the capacity of the plant extract to ameliorate oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia in the animals was fairly at par with the standard hepatic drug-hepaticum. Key words: Allium sativa, hepatocyte, hyperlipidemia, lipid profile, oxidative stress.
Highlights
The liver is often referred to as an organ of homeostasis by virtue of the fact that the metabolic concern of the hepatocyte is to ensure constancy in the internal environment of vertebrates
The capability of the liver to achieve this physiologic feat is hinged on high vascularization of the organ, capacity to serve as storage site for macromolecules and micronutrients as well as abode for enzymes involved in carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism
Group C2 serum γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities were relatively elevated at t = 76 h compared to groups C1, T1, T2 and T3
Summary
The liver is often referred to as an organ of homeostasis by virtue of the fact that the metabolic concern of the hepatocyte is to ensure constancy in the internal environment of vertebrates. The capability of the liver to achieve this physiologic feat is hinged on high vascularization of the organ, capacity to serve as storage site for macromolecules and micronutrients as well as abode for enzymes involved in carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. The central roles of the liver in xenobiotic and endogenous detoxification reactions have been well reported (Sugatani et al, 2006; Shaker et al, 2010; Singh et al, 2011).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
