Abstract
The hepatoprotective potential of saponarin, isolated from Gypsophila trichotoma, was evaluated in vitro/in vivo using a hepatotoxicity model of paracetamol-induced liver injury. In freshly isolated rat hepatocytes, paracetamol (100 μmol) led to a significant decrease in cell viability, increased LDH leakage, decreased levels of cellular GSH, and elevated MDA quantity. Saponarin (60–0.006 μg/mL) preincubation, however, significantly ameliorated paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. The beneficial effect of saponarin was also observed in vivo. Rats were challenged with paracetamol alone (600 mg/kg, i.p.) and after 7-day pretreatment with saponarin (80 mg/kg, oral gavage). Paracetamol toxicity was evidenced by increase in MDA quantity and decrease in cell GSH levels and antioxidant defence system. No changes in phase I enzyme activities of AH and EMND and cytochrome P 450 quantity were detected. Saponarin pretreatment resulted in significant increase in cell antioxidant defence system and GSH levels and decrease in lipid peroxidation. The biochemical changes are in good correlation with the histopathological data. Protective activity of saponarin was similar to the activity of positive control silymarin. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that saponarin exerts antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol liver injury in vitro/in vivo.
Highlights
Liver disease is a serious medical problem
The present study aims to trace the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of saponarin isolated from Gypsophila trichotoma on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity and to compare its effects with those of the classic antioxidant and hepatoprotector silymarin
Natural plant-derived products containing mostly flavonoids are being investigated as a source of antioxidants as these may have great relevance in the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress [37]
Summary
Liver disease is a serious medical problem. Some of the liver injuries are caused by the use and abuse of drugs. Conventional and/or synthetic drugs such as steroids, vaccines, antivirals, and other medications can cause serious side effects, even toxic effects on the liver, especially when used for prolonged periods of time [1]. The list of hepatoprotective biologically active compounds (BAC) in the scientific literature is quite long, but only some of them have enough strong effects to combat different types of liver damage. Some of them such as silymarin and curcumin have attracted the attention of the scientific community [2]. Many of these BAC are flavonoids, which are known to have various biological and pharmacological effects, for example, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and antimutagenic effects [3]
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