CCl4-induced Oxidative Damage Research Articles

Hepatoprotective activity of Sonchus asper against carbon tetrachloride-induced injuries in male rats: a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundSonchus asper (SAME) is used as a folk medicine in hepatic disorders. In this study, the hepatoprotective effects of the methanol extract of SAME was evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injuries in rats.MethodsTo evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of SAME, 36 male Sprague–Dawley rats were equally divided into 6 groups. Rats of Group I (control) were given free access to approved feed and water. Rats of Group II were injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 (3 ml/kg) as a 30% solution in olive oil (v/v) twice a week for 4 weeks. Animals of Groups III (100 mg/kg) and IV (200 mg/kg) received SAME, whereas those of Group V were given silymarin via gavage (100 mg/kg) after 48 h of CCl4 treatment. Group VI received SAME (200 mg/kg) twice a week for 4 weeks without CCl4 treatment. Various parameters, such as the serum enzyme levels, serum biochemical marker levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, and liver histopathology were used to estimate the hepatoprotective efficacy of SAME.ResultsThe administration of SAME and silymarin significantly lowered the CCl4-induced serum levels of hepatic marker enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides while elevating high-density lipoprotein levels. The hepatic contents of glutathione and activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione reductase were reduced. The levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances that were increased by CCl4 were brought back to control levels by the administration of SAME and silymarin. Liver histopathology showed that SAME reduced the incidence of hepatic lesions induced by CCl4 in rats.ConclusionSAME may protect the liver against CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats.

Effect of Ginkgo biloba Leaves Aqueous Extract on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Acute hepatotoxicity in rats

Bachground: Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and progression of various liver diseases. Ginkgo biloba leaves extract (GbE) have been proved to be an effective antioxidant, thereby can contribute to the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress.The present study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of GbE on acute liver injury induced using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. Material and Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced in male rats by intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of CCl4 1mL/ kg body weight (b.w.) for every 72 h for 14 days, GbE was administered orally at a dose of 150 mg/kg b.w., daily started two weeks prior to CCl4 injection and continued until the end of the experiment. Results: CCl4 caused acute liver damage in rats, as evidenced by significant increase serum enzymes activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase (ALT & AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as significant decrease in weight gain percent, serum total protein (TP), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH). Pretreatment with GbE prior to CCl4 injection elicited hepatoprotetcive activity by significant decreased the activities of liver enzymes and hepatic MDA, and significant increased the levels of TP, and hepatic GSH, as well as induced significant ameliorated in weight gain percent and lipid profileparameters as compared with CCl4 group. Histopathological examination of the liver tissues of CCl4 group represented the presence of hepatic necrosis associated with cells infiltration and vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes, while the pretreatment with GbE overcome these changes, the majority of the cells tend to be normal. Conclusion: The present findings indicated that the hepatoprotective effect of GbE against CCl4-induced oxidative damage may be due to its potent antioxidant activity. Therefore, GbE could be of potential help as a medicament or food supplement for alleviation of liver toxicity.

Effect of Ginkgo biloba Leaves Aqueous Extract on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Acute hepatotoxicity in rats

Bachground: Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and progression of various liver diseases. Ginkgo biloba leaves extract (GbE) have been proved to be an effective antioxidant, thereby can contribute to the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress.The present study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of GbE on acute liver injury induced using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. Material and Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced in male rats by intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of CCl4 1mL/ kg body weight (b.w.) for every 72 h for 14 days, GbE was administered orally at a dose of 150 mg/kg b.w., daily started two weeks prior to CCl4 injection and continued until the end of the experiment. Results: CCl4 caused acute liver damage in rats, as evidenced by significant increase serum enzymes activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase (ALT & AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as significant decrease in weight gain percent, serum total protein (TP), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH). Pretreatment with GbE prior to CCl4 injection elicited hepatoprotetcive activity by significant decreased the activities of liver enzymes and hepatic MDA, and significant increased the levels of TP, and hepatic GSH, as well as induced significant ameliorated in weight gain percent and lipid profileparameters as compared with CCl4 group. Histopathological examination of the liver tissues of CCl4 group represented the presence of hepatic necrosis associated with cells infiltration and vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes, while the pretreatment with GbE overcome these changes, the majority of the cells tend to be normal. Conclusion: The present findings indicated that the hepatoprotective effect of GbE against CCl4-induced oxidative damage may be due to its potent antioxidant activity. Therefore, GbE could be of potential help as a medicament or food supplement for alleviation of liver toxicity.

Aminotriazole attenuated carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative liver injury in mice

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) has been used extensively to study xenobiotic-induced oxidative liver injury. Catalase (CAT) is a major antioxidant enzyme while aminotriazole (ATZ) is commonly used as a CAT inhibitor. In the present study, the effects of ATZ on CCl4-induced liver injury were investigated. Our experimental data showed that pretreatment with ATZ significantly decreased CCl4-induced elevation of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) and improved hepatic histopathological abnormality. ATZ dose-dependently inhibited the activity of CAT, but it reduced the content of H2O2 and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver tissues. ATZ decreased plasma level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and reduced hepatic levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO). In addition, posttreatment with ATZ also decreased the level of ALT and AST. These data indicated that ATZ effectively alleviated CCl4-induced oxidative liver damage. These findings suggested that ATZ might have potential value in preventing oxidative liver injury.

English

In the previous studies, it was revealed that Mitragyna rotundifolia Kuntze (MR) had strong antioxidant activity in vitro. Oxidative stress is considered to play a prominent causative role in the development of various hepatic disorders. n-Butanol extract from M. rotundifolia barks (MRBBU) and leaves (MRLBU) were investigated, and it played a protective role against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury in mice. The degree of protection has been measured by using biochemical parameters, such as serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue homogenate. The results of the intragastric administration of MRBBU (300, 150 and 75 mg/kg body weight per day, respectively) and MRLBU (300, 150 and 75 mg/kg body weight per day, respectively) on CCL4-induced acute liver injury in mice for 8 days demonstrated that the level of GPT and GOT in each treatment group decreased significantly (P < 0.001). It was observed that the level of liver MDA in MRLBU (75 mg/kg) group did not significantly decreased (P > 0.05), but that in the other treatment groups significantly decreased (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). With the exception of MRLBU group (150 and 75 mg/kg) (P > 0.05), the level of SOD in other treatment groups significantly increased (P < 0.001, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Results indicated that MR has hepatoprotective effect against CCl4-induced oxidative damage in mice, and the hepatoprotective effect may be correlated with its antioxidant effects.   Key words: Mitragyna rotundifolia Kuntze, antioxidant activity, carbon tetrachloride, hepatoprotective effect.

The Protective Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Wild-Growing and Fermented Royal Sun Mushroom, Agaricus brasiliensis S. Wasser et al. (Higher Basidiomycetes), in CCl4-Induced Oxidative Damage in Rats

Culinary-medicinal Royal Sun mushroom, Agaricus brasiliensis (AbS), has traditionally been used for the prevention of a range of diseases, including cancer, hepatitis, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and dermatitis. The hepatoprotective effect of the fermented mushroom of A. brasiliensis (FMAE) and wild-growing A. brasiliensis (WMAE) were studied in this paper. An in vivo study of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced antioxidant activity in 2-month-old rats was conducted by examining the levels of activities of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and the antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase (CAT). Rats were divided into four groups, each containing six rats. The first group served as a control group. The second group was the CCl4 group. Group I and group II were treated orally with distilled water for 14 days respectively. Group III and Group IV were treated orally by WMAE and FMAE at oral doses of 50 mg/kg-day, respectively. Both WMAE and FMAE could reduce CCl4-induced toxicity, particularly hepatotoxicity, by suppressing ALT and AST activities, and increasing antioxidant enzyme activity. The studies demonstrate that both the fermented and wild-growing A. brasiliensis could protect the liver against CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats.

Inhibitory Effects of Pre and Post Radon Inhalation on Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Oxidative Damage in Mouse Organs

Radon inhalation activates antioxidative functions in some organs of mice. We examined the prevention effects of pre radon inhalation and the alleviation effects of post radon inhalation on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative damage in the brain, heart, lung, liver, and kidney of mice. In addition, we compared the effect of pre and post radon inhalation on oxidative damage. Mice inhaled radon at a concentration of 18000Bq/m3 for 6hrs before or after CCl4 administration. As a result, the total glutathione(t-GSH) contents and catalase(CAT) activities in the brain, heart, lung, liver, and kidney and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities in the heart and lung were significantly higher in pre and post radon-inhaled mice than in mice treated with only CCl4. Pre radon inhalation inhibited and post radon inhalation reduced lipid peroxidation induced by CCl4. In addition, there were no significant differences in lipid peroxide(LPO) levels in the brain, heart, lung, liver, and kidney between pre and post radon-inhaled mice. These findings suggested that post radon inhalation has the same effects as pre radon inhalation against CCl4-induced oxidative damage in the brain, heart, lung, liver, and kidney.

Reversal of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Injury by Aqueous Extract of Artemisia absinthium in Sprague-Dawley Rats

In the present study, we evaluated the protective activity of an aqueous extract of Artemisia absinthium against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats. The protective activity of this extract at three doses (2.5, 5, and 10 ml/ kg, once orally) against CCl4-induced oxidative damage (1.5 ml/kg, once intraperitoneally) in rats was analyzed. Various blood and tissue biochemical studies were performed, and the administration of the toxicant significantly altered blood biochemical variables. Hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) was significantly elevated, whereas glutathione (GSH) level was considerable depleted after intoxication. Remarkable decreases in the activities of adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) after intoxication were observed. Treatment with all three doses reversed altered tissue biochemical values, but the greatest protection was observed at the lowest dose (2.5 ml/kg). The results of this study show that A. absinthium induces strong hepatoprotective activity. It decreased the hexobarbitone-induced sleep time and improved cholerectic activity (bile flow and bile solids) and excretory capacity, and it also stimulated bile secretion. The potent antioxidant activity of A. absinthium was indicated by scavenging effects on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Thus, be considered for use in reducing hepatic damage and may serve as an alternative medicine in hepatic etiologies.

ANTIOXIDANT AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF GARCINIA INDICA CHOISY FRUITS IN CARBON TETRACHLORIDE-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN RATS

The protective effects of aqueous extracts of the fruit rind of Garcinia indica (GIE) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated in rats. GIE (400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg) and the reference drug silymarin (100 mg/kg) were administered orally for 10 days to rats treated with CCl4 for 7 days. GIE and silymarin elicited significant hepatoprotective activity by attenuating the CCl4-elevated levels of serum marker enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) and malondialdehyde, and restoring the CCl4-depleted levels of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in liver. GIE 800 mg/kg demonstrated greater hepatoprotection than GIE 400 mg/kg. The present findings indicate that hepatoprotective effects of GIE in CCl4-induced oxidative damage may be due to an augmentation of the endogenous antioxidants and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in liver. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Garcinia indica Choisy is an Indian plant, the fruit of which is widely used in cooking and has many pharmaceutical and industrial uses. It has been shown to possess a wide range of medicinal properties and many of its therapeutic effects are described in Ayurveda. Traditionally, the syrup of G. indica fruit has been administered to alcohol-intoxicated individuals for protection of liver. Literature reports the aqueous extracts of G. indica fruit rind to possess potent antioxidant, free radical scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidative activities. The present study evaluates the hepatoprotective effect of G. indica fruit with an aim to bring about value addition to its health benefits, establish it as a potent “functional food” and promote its use as a culinary spice to enrich people's diets. Besides, it is cheap and readily available to all strata of society.

Hepatoprotective Action of Radix Paeoniae Rubra Aqueous Extract against CCl4-Induced Hepatic Damage

In the present study the capacity of Radix Paeoniae Rubra aqueous extract (RPRAE) as an antioxidant to protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats was investigated. Six groups of rats were used. Radix Paeoniae Rubra aqueous extract (100 or 200 or 300 mg/kg of bw) or bifendate (100 mg/kg of bw) were given daily by gavage to the animals on 28 consecutive days to elucidate the protective effects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. The 20% CCl4/olive oil was gavage of gastric tube twice a week (on the third and seventh days of each week). The animals of normal control group were given only vehicle. The animals of CCl4-treated group were administered with CCl4 twice a week (on the third and seventh days of each week) and with vehicle on rest of the days. The test materials were found effective as hepatoprotective agents, as evidenced by plasma and liver biochemical parameters. Therefore, the results of this study show that Radix Paeoniae Rubra aqueous extract can protect the liver against CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats, and the hepatoprotective effects might be correlated with its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects.

Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Effects of Licorice Extract against CCl4-Induced Oxidative Damage in Rats

Licorice has been used in Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of various disorders. Licorice has the biological capabilities of detoxication, antioxidation, and antiinfection. In this study, we evaluated the antihepatotoxic effect of licorice aqueous extract (LE) on the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in a rat model. Hepatic damage, as reveled by histology and the increased activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, and decreased levels of serum total protein (TP), albumin (Alb) and globulin (G) were induced in rats by an administration of CCl4 at 3 mL/kg b.w. (1:1 in groundnut oil). Licorice extract significantly inhibited the elevated AST, ALP and ALT activities and the decreased TP, Alb and G levels caused by CCl4 intoxication. It also enhanced liver super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR), Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities and glutathione (GSH) level, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Licorice extract still markedly reverses the increased liver hydroxyproline and serum TNF-α levels induced by CCl4 intoxication. The data of this study support a chemopreventive potential of licorice extract against liver oxidative injury.

Increase of lipofuscin formation via CCl4-induced oxidative damage in brain, kidney and liver of rats

The chloride form of the polystyrene–divinylbenzene anion exchange resin Amberlite IRA-900 was found to catalyze the photodecomposition of carbon tetrachloride in ethanol at wavelengths above 350 nm. With sulfate, bromide, and perchlorate as counterions, the resin was inactive. The major products are acetaldehyde, phosgene, chloroform, and hydrogen chloride. The photoreaction is much slower under 1.0 atm O2 than under air, while in deoxygenated solutions it is also much slower and produces no phosgene. Much of the observed behavior can be explained by a model in which the poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) matrix absorbs light and transfers energy to CCl4, which undergoes photodissociation, assisted by a chloride ion to stabilize the chlorine atom as Cl2-. Two major reaction channels for the trichloromethyl radicals produced by photodissociation are proposed, one in which CCl3 abstracts hydrogen from ethanol and the other involving addition of O2 to form trichloromethylperoxy radicals.

Hepatoprotective effect of ghrelin on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in rats

Background & AimsRecent studies have revealed that ghrelin may be an antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent. Oxidative stress are considered to play a prominent causative role in the development of various hepatic disorders. We investigated whether ghrelin plays a protective role against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury in rats. MethodsForty adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups as; control, ghrelin, CCl4 and ghrelin plus CCl4. Evaluations were made for lipid peroxidation, enzyme activities and biochemical parameters. Pathological histology was also performed. ResultsCCl4 treatment increased plasma and liver tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) content and plasma nitric oxide (NO) level, and decreased erythrocyte and liver tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities when compared to control group. At the same time, CCl4 treatment increased the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alcaline phosphatase (ALP) activities. By contrast, ghrelin pretreatment reduced plasma and liver MDA content and plasma NO level, and increased erythrocyte and liver tissue SOD, CAT and GPx activities when compared with CCl4-treated group. Moreover, both ghrelin alone and ghrelin plus CCl4 treatment elevated serum glucose level. The CCl4-induced histopathological changes were also reduced by the ghrelin pretreatment. ConclusionOur results show that ghrelin can be proposed to protect the liver against CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats, and the hepatoprotective effect may be correlated with its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of porcine plasma protein hydrolysates on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats

Porcine plasma protein hydrolysate (PPH) prepared by alcalase for 5h was fractioned by ultrafiltration. Four fractions, H1 (MW>10k), H2 (MW 6–10k), H3 (MW 3–6k) and H4 (MW<3k), were obtained. H4 possessed the highest antioxidant activity as indicated by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance values and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (P<0.01). Male rats were pretreated with H4 at dose of 50, 100, and 200mg/kg of body weight orally once daily for 12days, then they were treated intraperitoneally with a single dose of CCl4 (2mL/kg of body weight). The results showed that oral feeding of H4 could significantly lower (P<0.01) the serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase). Compared with the CCl4-only treatment group, levels of hepatic superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity were significantly increased, and the malondialdehyde levels were sharply decreased (P<0.01) in rats treated by all doses of PPH fraction H4. A histological examination of the liver showed that lesions, including necrosis, lymphocyte infiltration and fatty degeneration, were partially healed by treatment with H4 fractions. These data suggest that in rats, PPH can protect the liver against CCl4-induced oxidative damage.

Effects of Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels fruit on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute oxidative damage in livers of rats and mice

The present study was undertaken with a view to validate the traditional use of Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels fruit as a hepatoprotective agent. The 70% ethanolic extract of P. acidus fruit (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.), and reference drug silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o.) were given to rats of different groups respectively once a day for 5 d and the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (2 mL/kg, subcutaneously) was given on days 2 and 3. Serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB) and total protein (TP) were assessed along with liver histopathological examination. The effects on oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were also assessed in liver tissue homogenate to evaluate in vivo antioxidant activity. In addition, the effects on hexobarbitone-induced sleeping time were observed and the free radical-scavenging potential was determined by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) in mice. P. acidus extracts and silymarin exhibited a significant hepatoprotective effect as evident from the decreases of serum AST, ALT and ALP levels and LPO and increases in the levels of TP, GSH, SOD, CAT, and GPx compared with control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The biochemical results were supplemented with results of histopathological sections of the liver tissues. P. acidus extracts considerably shortened the duration of hexobarbitone-induced sleeping time in mice compared with control group (P<0.01) and showed remarkable DPPH-scavenging activity. The present findings suggest that the hepatoprotective effect of P. acidus against CCl4-induced oxidative damage may be related to its antioxidant and free radical-scavenging potentials.

Protective effects of sodium molybdate on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Molybdenum is an essential trace micronutrient element that plays an important role in animal and plant physiology. Molybdenum is a constituent of at least three mammalian metalloflavoproteins: xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase and sulphite oxidase. In the present study, the hepatoprotective potential of sodium molybdate was investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)-induced liver damage in rats. Administration of CCl 4 increased the serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels in rats and reduced levels of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase in the liver. Treatment with sodium molybdate significantly attenuated these changes to nearly undetectable levels. The histopathological changes induced by CCl 4 were also significantly attenuated by sodium molybdate treatment. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that sodium molybdate can protect the liver against CCl 4-induced oxidative damage in rats, and this hepatoprotective effect might be attributable to its modulation of detoxification enzymes and/or its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects.

Protective Effect of Red-Stemmed Type of Ipomoea aquatica Forsk against CCl4-Induced Oxidative Damage in Mice

Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk; I. aquatica) of the green-stemmed type (green type) is widely consumed, but there also exists a red-stemmed variety (red type). In the present study, the antioxidant capacity of the red type was compared to that of the green type in carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-treated mice. CCl(4)-induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substrate (TBARS) formation in the liver was significantly suppressed in mice fed 5% red-type I. aquatica, while the green type showed no effect. Hydrophobic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC(FL)) in the red type showed a lower level than that in the green type; however, lipophilic ORAC (L-ORAC(FL)) and total-ORAC(FL) levels were significantly higher in the red type than in the green type. α-Tocopherol, anthocyanidin/proanthocyanidin, and β-carotene contents were all significantly higher in the red type than in the green type. These results suggest that the wild red-type I. aquatica contains certain lipophilic components that exert antioxidant capacities not only in vitro but also in vivo. Such effective components in the red type would be beneficial phytochemicals for suppressing several diseases related to oxidative stress.

Hepatoprotection of Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther on CCl4-induced liver damage and inflammation

Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther, a vegetable consumed in Taiwan, has been used in folk medicine for protection against liver injury, although its actual efficacy remains uncertain. Therefore, we investigated the protective effects of Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver damage in rats. Water extracts of Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther (WGP) were administered for 8 consecutive weeks to male Sprague-Dawley rats. And a dose-dependent manner in preventing liver damage was confirmed. Moreover, the major ingredient of WGP, gallic acid, was also orally administrated in the CCl(4)-induced rats. The hepatoprotective activity was assessed using various biochemical parameters such as antioxidant enzymes and histopathological studies. WGP ranging from 50 to 300 mg/kg bw administrations significantly lowered serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, and inhibited malondialdehyde (MDA) generation in CCl(4)-treated rats. WGP increased cellular GSH level and antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and catalase. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was decreased in the group treated with CCl(4) plus WGP (150 and 300 mg/kg bw). Histopathological examination of livers showed that WGP reduced fatty degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolization and necrosis in CCl(4)-treated rats. In contrary, 10mg/kg bw of gallic acid was administrated, this dose was related with WGP (300 mg/kg bw), and had significantly decreased the AST and ALT compared to the CCl(4)-treated group. Aforesaid results suggested that gallic acid from WGP offered antioxidative activity against CCl(4)-induced oxidative liver damage. Taken together, this study is the first time to suggest that Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther exerts hepatoprotection via promoting antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties against CCl(4)-induced oxidative liver damage.

Evaluation of Launaea procumbens use in renal disorders: A rat model

Introduction Carbon tetrachloride exerts its toxicity in rat kidneys through oxidative stress. Launaea procumbens is used ethnopharmacologically in renal disorders. Its methanolic, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane fractions were evaluated against CCl 4-induced nephrotoxicity in rat. Materials and Methods Among 16 groups, one was given CCl 4 of 3 ml/kg body weight (30% in olive oil i.p.) twice a week for 4 weeks. Others were orally fed with extracts (100, 200 mg/kg b.w.) or rutin (50 mg/kg b.w.) after 48 h of CCl 4 or 200 mg/kg b.w. of extracts without CCl 4-treatment twice a week for 4 weeks. Results CCl 4 exposure led to a significant oxidative stress in kidneys which was remarkably attenuated with co-administration of various fractions and rutin thereby increased the level of CAT, POD, SOD, GSH, GSR, GST, GSH-Px, quinone reductase, while reduced the xanthine oxidase, γ-GT, TBARS, H 2O 2, nitrite, tissue proteins and DNA fragmentation%. Ameliorated effects of fractions and rutin were also recorded for the function of kidneys and the level of urobilinogen, urea, albumin, creatinine, RBC and WBC in urine were decreased. Serum level of creatinine, urobilinogen, BUN, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin and globulin were decreased while total proteins, albumin and creatinine clearance were increased with fractions and rutin. Protective effects of rutin and fractions were also evident on histopathology by reducing glomerular atrophy, tubular degeneration, congestion of blood capillaries, necrosis of epithelium and edema. Similarly body weight was increased while kidney and relative kidney weight was decreased with co-administration of fractions and rutin. Conclusion It is suggested that Launaea procumbens effectively protect kidneys against the CCl 4-induced oxidative damage in rats, through antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects of flavonoids and saponins present in the fractions.

Hepatoprotective effect of electrolyzed reduced water against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice

The study investigated the protective effect of electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)-induced liver damage. Male ICR mice were randomly divided into control, CCl 4, CCl 4 + silymarin, and CCl 4 + ERW groups. CCl 4-induced liver lesions include leukocytes infiltration, hepatocyte necrosis, ballooning degeneration, mitosis, calcification, fibrosis and an increase of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aminotransferase (AST) activity. In addition, CCl 4 also significantly decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). By contrast, ERW or silymarin supplement significantly ameliorated the CCl 4-induced liver lesions, lowered the serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers (ALT and AST) and increased the activities of SOD, catalase, and GSH-Px in liver. Therefore, the results of this study show that ERW can be proposed to protect the liver against CCl 4-induced oxidative damage in mice, and the hepatoprotective effect might be correlated with its antioxidant and free radical scavenging effect.