Abstract
BackgroundFlavonoids and other polyphenols play a protective role in liver diseases and possess a high antioxidant capacity.ObjectiveTo compare and evaluate the antioxidant and hepatotoprotective activities of 4 deserts plants, Fagonia indica Burm. f., Calotropis procera R.Br., Zygophylum hamiense Schweinf. and Salsola imbricata Forssk. in correlation to their composition especially their phenolic content.MethodsThe influence of extracting solvent on total phenolic and flavonoidal contents was assessed spectrophotometrically. The flavonoid and other polyphenolic components of the methanol extracts were analyzed by RP-HPLC. DPPH radical scavenging potential of the different extracts was estimated. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the extracts against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in mice were evaluated.ResultsThe flavonol quercitrin and rosmarinic acid were major in the F. indica, C. procera and S. imbricata samples, while rutin prevailed in that of Z. hamiense. The ethanolic and methanolic extracts showed noticeable DPPH radical-scavenging activity as compared to ascorbic acid. Assessment of liver enzymes revealed that oral administration of the extracts did not show any evidence of hepatotoxicity. Moreover, protection against CCl4-induced liver damage was evident upon administration of three plants extracts namely, F. indica, C. procera and S. imbricata.ConclusionOverall, hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 was effectively prevented by the three plants extracts through scavenging of free radicals and by boosting the antioxidant capacity of the liver. The protective effect of the plants could be attributed to their high quercitrin and rosmarinic acid contents.
Highlights
Flavonoids and other polyphenols play a protective role in liver diseases and possess a high antioxidant capacity
Free radical induced lipid peroxidation is regarded as one of the main causes of cell membrane damage leading to various pathological conditions [1, 2]
Pre-treating the mice with F. indica, C. procera and S. imricata extracts at the highest and lowest doses for 14 days prior CCl4 administration showed significant reduction in serum levels of ALT, AST but not alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes in a dose response manner (p-value less than 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Those findings are supported by the histological features; hepatocytes renewal and regeneration with mild glycogen depletion were observed with F. indica, C. procera and S. imbricata only as shown in Figs. 2c, d and e
Summary
Flavonoids and other polyphenols play a protective role in liver diseases and possess a high antioxidant capacity. Human beings are daily exposed to various compounds that can cause serious diseases either per se or through their metabolic activation to highly reactive substances such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). Liver disorders are considered among the major world health problems [3]. Despite their prevalence, morbidity and mortality rates, their current medical management is still considered inadequate. Phenolics are reputed to play a noticeable protective role against several health disorders [6]. Phenolics possess various biological activities, for instance, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory [7], antidiabetic [8], antioxidant, cytotoxic and antitumor [9, 10]
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