Abstract
BackgroundThis study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of a Rhamnus alaternus aqueous extract (RAAE) on aluminum chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. A preliminary phytochemical study and antioxidant activity tests of the extract were performed.MethodsA preliminary phytochemical study and antioxidant activity tests of the extract were performed. For the in vivo study, twenty-four male rats were divided into four groups. The control group (C); the RAAE group treated with 250 mg/kg b.w RAAE; the AlCl3 group, which received 50 mg/kg b.w AlCl3; and the AlCl3/RAAE group that was treated with AlCl3 plus RAAE.ResultsThe RAAE contains several phenolic compounds. This plant extract showed a high radical scavenging effect and high antioxidant activity. Administration of AlCl3 resulted in a significant increase in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and significant decreases in the plasma concentrations of total proteins and albumin. Moreover, AlCl3 induced a hepatic pro-oxidant effect leading to an increase in malonaldehyde (MDA) and carbonyl protein contents, the depletion of the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) and a decrease in the antioxidant enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). However, RAAE supplementation with AlCl3 treatment significantly decreased the levels of MDA and carbonyl proteins and markedly restored the activities of the antioxidant enzymes. These results are supported by the improvement in liver tissue restoration.ConclusionsThe Rhamnus alaternus aqueous extract was shown to have effective antioxidant activity owing to its phenolic compounds protecting against AlCl3-induced liver oxidative damage.
Highlights
Aluminum (Al) is a ubiquitous metal found in our daily life due to its presence in the natural environment and its large use in food, cosmetic products, and water purification and for therapeutic purposes [1, 2]
Treatment with Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the plasma concentrations of total proteins and albumin compared to the control
We demonstrated that the decrease in the levels of protein transporters is associated with liver tissue damage, as evidenced by a significant increase in Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity
Summary
Aluminum (Al) is a ubiquitous metal found in our daily life due to its presence in the natural environment and its large use in food, cosmetic products, and water purification and for therapeutic purposes [1, 2]. One plant used against Al toxicosis could be Rhamnus alaternus L This shrub belongs to the Rhamnaceae family, known under the non-vernacular of Nerprun and Tamazight Amliles. The present study aimed to investigate the protective antioxidant effects of the R. alaternus aqueous extract against subchronic exposure to aluminum chloride-induced oxidative hepatotoxicity in rats. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of a Rhamnus alaternus aqueous extract (RAAE) on aluminum chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. A preliminary phytochemical study and antioxidant activity tests of the extract were performed
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