Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of Bauhinia hookeri extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in mice and characterization of its bioactive compounds by HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS.

Eman Al-Sayed,Naglaa M El-Lakkany,Olfat A Hammam,Abdel-Nasser A Sabra,Mohamed M Abdel-Daim,Olli Martiskainen,Sayed H Seif El-Din

doi:10.1155/2014/245171

Abstract

The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Bauhinia hookeri ethanol extract (BHE) against CCl4-induced liver injury was investigated in mice. BHE was administered (500 and 1000 mg/kg/day) along with CCl4 for 6 weeks. The hepatic marker enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined in the serum. The antioxidant parameters: glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione transferase (GST), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated in the liver homogenate. BHE treatment significantly inhibited the CCl4-induced increase in ALT (44 and 64%), AST (36 and 46%), ALP (28 and 42%), and MDA (39 and 51%) levels at the tested doses, respectively. Moreover, BHE treatment markedly increased the activity of antioxidant parameters GSH, GPx, GR, GST, and SOD. Histological observations confirmed the strong hepatoprotective activity. These results suggest that a dietary supplement of BHE could exert a beneficial effect against oxidative stress and various liver diseases by enhancing the antioxidant defense status, reducing lipid peroxidation, and protecting against the pathological changes of the liver. The hepatoprotective activity of BHE is mediated, at least in part, by the antioxidant effect of its constituents. The active constituents of BHE were identified by HPLC-PDA-ESI/MS/MS.

Highlights

The liver is a vital organ that has a crucial role in the detoxification of various xenobiotics [1]
The combination of the PDA and mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data provided a sensitive method for the characterization of the constituents of Bauhinia hookeri ethanol extract (BHE) (Table 1 and Figure 1)
Compounds 2 and 3 were identified as caffeic pentose esters based on their molecular ion [M-H]− at m/z 311.04 and the MS/MS ion at m/z 179.04 of caffeic acid, which results from the loss of a pentose moiety (−132 amu)

Summary

Introduction

The liver is a vital organ that has a crucial role in the detoxification of various xenobiotics [1]. Excessive exposure to drugs and environmental pollutants overpowers the natural protective mechanisms of the liver and leads to hepatic injury. Liver damage is associated with cellular necrosis, plasma membrane damage, and depletion in the glutathione level (GSH). Long-standing hepatic injury leads to hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and even to life-threatening conditions, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [3]. Steroids and vaccines have been used for the treatment of liver diseases; they have serious adverse side effects and are of limited therapeutic benefits [3]. Some clinical trials have indicated that the standard doses of silymarin were ineffective in many patients with chronic liver disease [5]. In view of the limited therapeutic options available for the treatment of liver diseases, the search for new and safe hepatoprotective candidates is quite apparent

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Conclusion