The hepatocurative effects of Cynara scolymus L. leaf extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress and hepatic injury in rats.

Emine Colak,Hasan Veysi Gunes,Neslihan Tekin,Ertugrul Colak,Mehmet Cengiz Ustuner,Dilek Burukoglu,Irfan Degirmenci

doi:10.1186/s40064-016-1894-1

Emine Colak, Hasan Veysi Gunes + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-1894-1

Copy DOI

Journal: SpringerPlus	Publication Date: Feb 29, 2016
Citations: 51	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Aksaray University, Eskişehir Osmangazi University

Abstract

Cynara scolymus is a pharmacologically important medicinal plant containing phenolic acids and flavonoids. Experimental studies indicate antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of C. scolymus but there have been no studies about therapeutic effects of liver diseases yet. In the present study, hepatocurative effects of C. scolymus leaf extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress and hepatic injury in rats were investigated by serum hepatic enzyme levels, oxidative stress indicator (malondialdehyde-MDA), endogenous antioxidants, DNA fragmentation, p53, caspase 3 and histopathology. Animals were divided into six groups: control, olive oil, CCl4, C. scolymus leaf extract, recovery and curative. CCl4 was administered at a dose of 0.2 mL/kg twice daily on CCl4, recovery and curative groups. Cynara scolymus extract was given orally for 2 weeks at a dose of 1.5 g/kg after CCl4 application on the curative group. Significant decrease of serum alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) levels were determined in the curative group. MDA levels were significantly lower in the curative group. Significant increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in the curative group was determined. In the curative group, C. scolymus leaf extract application caused the DNA % fragmentation, p53 and caspase 3 levels of liver tissues towards the normal range. Our results indicated that C. scolymus leaf extract has hepatocurative effects of on CCl4-induced oxidative stress and hepatic injury by reducing lipid peroxidation, providing affected antioxidant systems towards the normal range. It also had positive effects on the pathway of the regulatory mechanism allowing repair of DNA damage on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.

Highlights

The liver, the largest and most metabolically complex organ in the body, is involved in the metabolism of storage and biosynthesis (Hodgson and Levi 2004)
MDA levels were significantly lower after the application of the C. scolymus leaf extract in the curative group (P < 0.001)
Our results demonstrated that C. scolymus leaf extract application alone without carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) did not indicate any significant variation of DNA damage, p53 and caspase 3 levels

Summary

Introduction

The liver, the largest and most metabolically complex organ in the body, is involved in the metabolism of storage and biosynthesis (Hodgson and Levi 2004). It is responsible for detoxification and metabolic homeostasis (Shin et al 2013). The continuous and excessive production of ROS together with imbalances in endogenous antioxidant mechanisms causes oxidative stress. This stress induces damage to several biomolecules including lipids, proteins and DNA and, over time, contributes to liver injury. Chronic liver disease has continuous formation from steatosis to chronic hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular

Methods

Results

Conclusion