Abstract
Simarouba amara stem bark decoction has been traditionally used in Brazil to treat malaria, inflammation, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, wounds and as a tonic. In this study, we investigate the hepatoprotective effects of the aqueous extract of S. amara stem bark (SAAE) on CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats. SAAE was evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography. The animals were divided into six groups (n = 6/group). Groups I (vehicle—corn oil), II (control-CCl4), III, IV, V and VI were pretreated during 10 consecutive days, once a day p.o, with Legalon® 50 mg/kg b.w, SAAE at doses 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w, respectively. The hepatotoxicity was induced on 11th day with 2 mL/kg of 20% CCl4 solution. 24 h after injury, the blood samples were collected and their livers were removed to biochemical and immunohistochemical analyzes. The SAAE decreased the levels of liver markers and lipid peroxidation in all doses and increased the catalase levels at doses 250 and 500 mg/kg. Immunohistochemical results suggested hepatocyte proliferation in all doses. These results may be related to catechins present in SAAE. Thus, SAAE prevented the oxidative damage at the same time that increased regenerative and reparative capacities of the liver.
Highlights
In Brazil, the Simaroubaceae family is represented by Quassia and Picrolemma genera in the Amazon region, Castela and Picrasma in the south; Simaba and Simarouba in almost all Brazilian regions [1].Simarouba amara Aublet, popularly known as “praíba”, “marupá” and “pau-paraíba”, is a large tree that reaches up to 40 m height and 0.5 to 0.9 m diameter [2]
The greater Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) reactivity in the animals treated with SAAE indicates that it avoids hepatocyte injury since it is able to reverse an established damage in the liver, through stimulation of the proliferation
Epicatechin, gallic, ellagic and chlorogenic acids, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), epinephrine and sodium carbonate were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Chemicals Co
Summary
In Brazil, the Simaroubaceae family is represented by Quassia and Picrolemma genera in the Amazon region, Castela and Picrasma in the south; Simaba and Simarouba in almost all Brazilian regions [1]. Ethnopharmacological data suggest the use of a cup of S. amara stem bark decoction, 2–3 times per day, to treat malaria, inflammation, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, wounds and as a tonic [3,4]. The oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms involved in pathology and natural products are being investigated as a source of antioxidants to treat liver disease [7,8,9]. Alkaloids and tannins have been identified in the bark of this specie [12] These metabolites are widely shown to present antioxidant properties, the hepatoprotective effect of S. amara has not been explored. The present study investigated the possible hepatoprotective potential of the aqueous extract of Simarouba amara stem bark (SAAE) against CCl4-induced oxidative stress in liver of rats
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