Hepatoprotective Effect of Opuntia robusta and Opuntia streptacantha Fruits against Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Damage.

Herson Antonio González-Ponce,Manon Buist-Homan,María Teresa Sumaya-Martínez,Han Moshage,Fernando Jaramillo-Juárez,Klaas Nico Faber,Ana Rosa Rincón-Sánchez,María Consolación Martínez-Saldaña

doi:10.3390/nu8100607

Abstract

Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver failure (ALF) is a serious health problem in developed countries. N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), the current therapy for APAP-induced ALF, is not always effective, and liver transplantation is often needed. Opuntia spp. fruits are an important source of nutrients and contain high levels of bioactive compounds, including antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Opuntia robusta and Opuntia streptacantha extracts against APAP-induced ALF. In addition, we analyzed the antioxidant activities of these extracts. Fruit extracts (800 mg/kg/day, orally) were given prophylactically to male Wistar rats before intoxication with APAP (500 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Rat hepatocyte cultures were exposed to 20 mmol/L APAP, and necrosis was assessed by LDH leakage. Opuntia robusta had significantly higher levels of antioxidants than Opuntia streptacantha. Both extracts significantly attenuated APAP-induced injury markers AST, ALT and ALP and improved liver histology. The Opuntia extracts reversed APAP-induced depletion of liver GSH and glycogen stores. In cultured hepatocytes, Opuntia extracts significantly reduced leakage of LDH and cell necrosis, both prophylactically and therapeutically. Both extracts appeared to be superior to NAC when used therapeutically. We conclude that Opuntia extracts are hepatoprotective and can be used as a nutraceutical to prevent ALF.

Highlights

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are widely used for the alleviation of pain, fever and inflammation
The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Opuntia robusta and Opuntia streptacantha fruits from a semi-arid region of Mexico in a model of APAP-induced liver injury and to perform an initial characterization of the main bioactive compounds in these fruits
Other natural subproducts depends on geographical and environmental factors, such as humidity, The presence or absence of many season, bioactive compounds in leaves, fruits, roots, othertonatural temperature, pollution, altitude, etc. It isseeds very and difficult standardize the subproducts depends on geographical environmental factors,tosuch as humidity, composition of naturaland products, but it is acceptable link their therapeutictemperature, benefits to the presence season, pollution, altitude, etc

Summary

Introduction

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are widely used for the alleviation of pain, fever and inflammation. NSAID are the most widely prescribed medications in the world and are used by millions of patients on a daily basis. Excessive consumption of NSAID has been related to severe side effects caused by oxidative stress, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality [1,2]. Acetaminophen (APAP), a non-prescription drug, is a safe and effective analgesic and antipyretic drug. Nutrients 2016, 8, 607 when used at therapeutic doses [3]. An acute or cumulative overdose can cause severe liver injury that may progress to acute liver failure (ALF). APAP is the most common cause of ALF in developed countries [4,5]

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