Potential Hepatoprotective Effects Research Articles

Effects of flavonoid extract from wonderful Kola (Buchholzia Coriacea) seed on antioxidant and liver function biomarkers of fructose fed streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic albino rats

Wonderful kola is a wonderful herb with excellent healing powers, the seeds is fast gaining reputation because it appears to be a treatment to nearly all ailments. This study evaluates the potential hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of oral administration of flavonoid-rich seed extract of Buchholzia coriacea seeds in fructose fed Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Twenty-five (25) rats were used for this study. They were divided into five (5) groups of five rats each; normal control, negative control (Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic), positive control (Glibenclamide), 100mg/kg of body weight seed extract and 500mg/kg of body weight seed extract. The flavonoid seed extract of the plant significantly (P<0.05) reduced liver damage caused by STZ, as evidenced by the decreased serum alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase activity, compared to in the group treated with STZ alone. The result of the Superoxide dismutase activity (SOS) shows more antioxidant activity than other antioxidant parameters. However, that of catalase enzyme has the lowest activity as compared to Thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and Reduced Glutathione (GSH) activities. All were significantly (P<0.05) improved following the treatments of flavonoid extract. In conclusion, the results show that seeds of Buchholzia coriacea contain a potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects, which can give scientific merit to the traditional use of the extract in the management of diabetes and the improvement of its complications.

New insight on the acute CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity model in rats.

The CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity model is a traditional preclinical assay applied to evaluate potential hepatoprotective compounds. However, several studies have used it with inappropriate dose and exposure time, generating both weak response or irreversible liver injury, as well as lack of representative liver and plasma biomarkers. Therefore, this study aims to determine the best dose and exposure time of CCl4 in Wistar rats, permitting a proper evaluation of potential hepatoprotective effect. Thus, CCl4-intraperitoneal doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mL/kg were first evaluated 24 h post-exposure, and then with the best dose achieved, it was also assessed at 6 and 12 h post-exposure. The determination of the main hepatotoxicity biomarkers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT), and histopathological analyses were performed. The results suggest that 6h CCl4 post-exposure is too short to induce ideal liver injury, and at 24 h, a suggestive rat free-radical scavenger mechanism seems to revert CCl4-initiated damage. According to these data, the ideal acute CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity model was established at a dose of 2.0 mL/kg and 12 h post-exposure in Wistar rats, which demonstrated a significant increase of liver MDA levels without irreversible injury, permitting a proper and reliable evaluation of potential hepatoprotective compounds.

Genetically and chemically intraspecific variations of Ficus hirta provide novel insights into its protection and utilization

BackgroundRadix Fici Hirtae, the dry root of Ficus hirta, is a famous ethnomedicine and food that has been widely used by Yao and Zhuang nationalities in southern China for its potent antitumor, antifungal, and hepatoprotective effects. Recently, owing to over-exploitation and habitat destruction, F. hirta has been pushed to the brink of depletion. In addition, cultivation and breeding have resulted in severe intermixing and degeneration over the past 20 years. However, little is known about the genetic background and medicinal quality of F. hirta across populations, which restricts its protection and utilization. In this study, we conducted an evaluation of the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) genetic diversity and population structure of F. hirta in southern China, and further evaluated its medicinal quality based on HPLC fingerprinting and the content determination of the active components.ResultsF. hirta presented high overall genetic diversity (Hd = 0.792) for cpDNA but low genetic diversity (Hd = 0.000 ~ 0.467) within populations. All seventeen populations were genetically assigned into two groups, most of which were not geographically clustered together. Mantel test revealed no significant isolation by distance pattern for F. hirta (P = 0.233), which might be related to its habitat fragmentation. High population differentiation (FST = 0.912) was detected in F. hirta, and AMOVA revealed that 91.17% of cpDNA variation occurred between populations. HPLC fingerprint analysis indicated that most F. hirta samples derived from 14 geographic origins had highly similar components (similarity = 0.828 ~ 0.975). Fourteen origins of F. hirta were clustered into three groups by HCA, PCA and OPLS-DA. Psoralen and bergapten were the differentiated quality markers among the groups. The medicinal quality of the populations NN, SD and HZ within southwestern group was much greater than that of the ND and GZ populations within southeastern group, which is consistent with the comprehensive quality scores for each origin (Y = 1.78 ~-0.82). The medicinal quality formation of F. hirta was highly correlated with geographical environment but not with cpDNA genetic variation.ConclusionsF. hirta presented high overall genetic diversity and population differentiation, but without significant isolation by distance, which might relate to its habitat fragmentation. Different geographic origins’ Radix Fici Hirtae were chemically clustered into three groups, which were mainly differentiated by psoralen and bergapten. The medicinal quality of Radix Fici Hirtae exhibited a southwest to southeast variation pattern across southern China, and its quality formation was influenced mostly by geographical environments. Our results provide references for the conservation, core collection construction and improvement of F. hirta.

Hepatoprotective Effect of the Santalum Album Linn. Seeds Against High Fat Diet Induced Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Wistar Rats

Abstract: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a significant global health concern, primarily due to poor dietary habits, such as high-fat diets, which contribute to liver dysfunction. This study investigates the hepatoprotective effects of Santalum album Linn. seeds in a high-fat diet-induced NAFLD model in Wistar rats. The rats were divided into several groups, including a normal control group, a high-fat diet-induced NAFLD group, and treatment groups administered with Santalum album seed extracts. Liver function was assessed through biochemical parameters such as serum liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), lipid profiles, and histopathological analysis. Additionally, oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzyme activities, were measured. Results showed that treatment with Santalum album seed extract significantly reduced serum liver enzyme levels, improved lipid profiles, and ameliorated liver histology. The antioxidant properties of Santalum album seeds were found to play a key role in mitigating oxidative stress, a major contributor to liver injury in NAFLD. These findings suggest that Santalum album Linn. seeds possess potential hepatoprotective effects and may be a promising natural therapeutic option for managing NAFLD induced by high-fat diets. Further clinical studies are recommended to validate these results in human populations.

Boswellic acid synergizes with low-dose ionizing radiation to mitigate thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy in rats

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a syndrome that arises from acute or chronic liver failure. This study was devised to assess the impact of a combination of boswellic acid (BA) and low doses of gamma radiation (LDR) on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced HE in an animal model. The effect of daily BA treatment (175 mg/kg body weight, for four weeks) and/or fractionated low-dose γ-radiation (LDR; 0.25 Gy, twice the total dose of 0.5 Gy) was evaluated against TAA (200 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) twice-weekly for four weeks to induce liver damage and HE in rats. TAA-exposed rats exhibited a significant elevation in serum activities of liver enzymes (GGT, ALP) and plasma ammonia levels at P < 0.05 (Duncan’s test) compared to the control group. Moreover, there was an increase in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL6, IL12, IL18) in the TAA-exposed animals accompanied by a depletion in the activities of paraoxonase-1 and neurotransmitter contents compared with normal control rats (P < 0.05). However, the administration of BA alone or in combination with LDR led to improvements in liver and brain parameter indices. Furthermore, the histopathological assessments of liver and brain tissues supported the findings of the biochemical investigations. From the statistical analysis, it can be concluded that the combined administration of BA and exposure to LDR may possess potential hepatoprotective effects against hepatic encephalopathy-associated hyperammonemia and the consequent damage to the liver and brain. This study proposes that a combination of therapeutic approaches, LDR and BA could be a new therapeutic candidate for the management of hepatic encephalopathy.

Effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin and metformin on hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis: Sub-analysis of a randomized controlled study.

To compare the effects of ipragliflozin, a sodium-dependent glucose transporter-2 inhibitor, and those of metformin on the visceral fat area (VFA), a prospective, multi-centre, open-label, blinded-endpoint, randomized, controlled study was undertaken. The generated data were used to examine the effects of ipragliflozin and metformin on indices of hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis. In total, 103 Japanese patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D), body mass index (BMI) of ≥22 kg/m2 and glycated haemoglobin level of 7%-10% were randomly administered ipragliflozin 50 mg or metformin 1000 mg for 24 weeks. Various parameters, including hepatic steatosis indices, fatty liver index (FLI), hepatic steatosis index (HSI), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-liver fat score (NAFLD-LFS), liver fibrosis indices, AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, were compared in the sub-analyses. The correlations between changes in each index and VFA were evaluated. At baseline, patients demonstrated moderate hepatic steatosis, with FLI scores of 52.9 ± 26.6 and 57.8 ± 29.0 in the ipragliflozin and metformin groups, respectively. At 24 weeks, compared with metformin, ipragliflozin showed improvements in hepatic steatosis indices: FLI (-9.24 ± 10.7 vs. -3.45 ± 11.8, p = 0.013), HSI (-1.45 ± 2.32 vs. -0.45 ± 1.87, p = 0.021), NAFLD-LFS (-0.70 ± 1.46 vs. -0.04 ± 0.98, p = 0.011) and liver fibrosis index: APRI (-0.110 ± 0.323 vs. 0.033 ± 0.181, p = 0.010). In the ipragliflozin group, changes in FLI and HSI were correlated with VFA reduction (r = 0.340, p = 0.024; r = 0.367, p = 0.011, respectively). Compared with metformin, ipragliflozin improved multiple hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis indices, suggesting that ipragliflozin exerts potential hepatoprotective effects in early-stage liver disease associated with T2D.

An In-depth Review on Argemone mexicana in the Management of Liver Health and Liver Cancer.

Argemone mexicana, commonly known as the Mexican prickly poppy, has been historically employed in traditional medicine for various ailments, including liver disorders. Given the rising prevalence of liver diseases, including cancer, investigating the potential efficacy of Argemone mexicana in promoting liver health is of paramount importance. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature on the hepatoprotective and anticancer properties of Argemone mexicana. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and relevant botanical and pharmacological databases. Studies from various sources, including in vitro experiments, animal models, and clinical trials, were included in the review. The search focused on articles published up to 2010-2023, encompassing research that explored the botanical characteristics, chemical composition, traditional uses, and pharmacological properties of Argemone mexicana, specifically emphasizing its impact on liver health and cancer. The review revealed a wealth of studies highlighting the diverse pharmacological properties of Argemone mexicana. The botanical composition includes compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, suggesting hepatoprotective effects. Studies using in vitro and in vivo models demonstrated promising outcomes regarding liver function improvement and inhibition of liver cancer cell proliferation. While some clinical studies supported the traditional uses of Argemone mexicana, further well-designed trials are warranted to establish its clinical efficacy. In conclusion, Argemone mexicana shows promise as a natural agent for promoting liver health and combating liver cancer. Bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties suggest potential hepatoprotective effects. However, translating these findings into clinical practice requires further rigorous investigation, including well-designed clinical trials. This review provides a foundation for future research efforts aimed at elucidating the full therapeutic potential of Argemone mexicana in liver health and cancer management.

Alpinetin Exhibits Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in C57BL/6 Mice with Alcoholic Liver Disease Induced by the Lieber-DeCarli Ethanol Liquid Diet.

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a common non-communicable chronic liver disease characterized by a spectrum of conditions ranging from steatosis and alcohol-associated steatohepatitis (AH) to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathogenesis of ALD involves a complex interplay of various molecular, biochemical, genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. While the mechanisms are well studied, therapeutic options remain limited. Alpinetin, a natural flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown potential hepatoprotective effects, though its efficacy in ALD remains unexplored. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of alpinetin using a Lieber-DeCarli ethanol liquid diet model of ALD in C57BL/6 mice. Mice were divided into three groups: the control group, the ethanol group, and the ethanol group treated with alpinetin. Serum activity of ALT, AST, γ-GT, and ALP was measured to assess liver function, along with antioxidative and oxidative/nitrosative stress markers in liver tissue. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress parameters in liver tissue were also evaluated. Histological assessment of disease activity was performed using the SALVE grading and staging system. Treatment with alpinetin significantly reduced serum levels of ALT, AST, γ-GT, and oxidative/nitrosative stress markers while increasing antioxidative markers. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and ER stress parameters were significantly decreased. Histological analysis demonstrated reduced steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, and inflammation. These findings suggest that alpinetin holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for managing ALD.

The Effect of Quercetin on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and the Role of Beclin1, P62, and LC3: An Experimental Study.

Background/Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major metabolic disorder with no established pharmacotherapy. Quercetin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, demonstrates potential hepatoprotective effects but has limited bioavailability. This study evaluates the impact of quercetin on NAFLD and assesses the roles of autophagy-related proteins in disease progression. Methods: Forty-seven male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks to induce NAFLD, followed by quercetin treatment for 4 weeks. Mice were divided into baseline, control, and two quercetin groups, receiving low (10 mg/kg) and high (50 mg/kg) doses. Liver histology was scored using the NAFLD Activity Score (NAS). Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were performed to analyze autophagy markers. Results: Quercetin-treated groups showed significant reductions in NAS compared to controls (p = 0.011), mainly in steatosis and steatohepatitis. Immunohistochemistry indicated increased expression of autophagy markers LCA and p62 in quercetin groups. Western blot analysis revealed significant elevations in LC3A in the treated groups, suggesting improved autophagic activity and lipid degradation. Conclusions: Quercetin effectively reduces NAFLD severity and modulates autophagy-related proteins. These findings suggest that quercetin enhances autophagic flux, supporting its therapeutic potential for NAFLD. Additional research is needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms of quercetin and to determine the optimal dosing for clinical application.

Thio-ProTide strategy: A novel H2S donor–drug conjugate (DDC) alleviates hepatic injury via innate lysosomal targeting

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gas signaling molecule with versatile bioactivities; however, its exploitation for disease treatment appears challenging. This study describes the design and characterization of a novel type of H2S donor–drug conjugate (DDC) based on the thio-ProTide scaffold, an evolution of the ProTide strategy successfully used in drug discovery. The new H2S DDCs achieved hepatic co-delivery of H2S and an anti-fibrotic drug candidate named hydronidone, which synergistically attenuated liver injury and resulted in more sufficient intracellular drug exposure. The potent hepatoprotective effects were also attributed to the H2S-mediated multipronged intervention in lipid peroxidation both at the whole cellular and lysosomal levels. Lysosomal H2S accumulation and H2S DDC activation were facilitated by the hydrolysis through the specific lysosomal hydrolase, representing a distinct mechanism for lysosomal targeting independent of the classical basic moieties. These findings provided a novel pattern for the design of optimally therapeutic H2S DDC and organelle-targeting functional molecules.

The potential hepatoprotective effect of Erythropoietin against liver damage induced by Doxorubicin through modulation of PI3K/Akt/GSK3β and activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

This study aims to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of erythropoietin against doxorubicin-induced liver damage in a male rat model through PI3K/Akt/GSK3β axis modulation and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic antibiotic used to treat many types of cancer, has some considerable side effects that limit its clinical use, including hepatotoxicity. Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein hormone primarily recognized for its crucial function in promoting erythropoiesis. Recent studies have demonstrated the significant cytoprotective effects of erythropoietin in several organs. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly separated into six groups: (Group 1) a negative control group; (Group 2) a doxorubicin induction group; (Groups 3, 4, and 5) three groups pre-treated with erythropoietin in three different doses (1000, 3000, and 6000 IU/kg); and (Group 6) a positive control group pre-treated with silymarin (100 mg/kg). On the 7th day, all groups (except group 1) were injected with a single dose of doxorubicin (20 mg/kg). On day 9 of the experiment, blood and liver samples were taken for subsequent analysis. The results showed that erythropoietin pre-treatment significantly reduced doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity by stimulating the PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways and suppressing GSK3β and caspase 3. In addition to that, erythropoietin pre-treatment also raised the levels of GSH, lowered the levels of MDA, and brought the levels of the liver enzymes ALT and AST back to normal compared to the induction group. In conclusion, via modulating PI3K/Akt/GSK3β and activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, erythropoietin pre-treatment protected the liver against hepatotoxicity caused by doxorubicin in a dose-dependent manner.

Diammonium glycyrrhizinate ameliorates alcohol-induced liver injury by reducing oxidative stress, steatosis, and inflammation

Alcohol-induced liver injury (ALI) is a serious global health issue. Diammonium glycyrrhizinate (DG), a pharmaceutical form of glycyrrhizic acid, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress properties. We investigated the potential hepatoprotective effects of DG against ALI and explored the mechanisms of it. In vivo, C57BL/6J mice were used to investigate the protective effect of DG on ALI induced by chronic plus binge alcohol exposure. In vitro, AML-12 cells were applied to evaluate the role of DDX5 in the hepatic protection of DG and explore the possible mechanism of STAT1 activation regulated by DDX5. The results showed that DG significantly alleviated liver injury, inflammation, and lipid deposition in hepatocytes. It also beneficially influenced oxidative stress dysregulation. RNA-seq expression in mouse liver tissue indicated that Dead-box helicase 5 (DDX5) might be a potential target of DG. Compared with the control group, the expression of DDX5 decreased significantly in the ethanol-fed group, while DDX5 was restored in the DG treatment group. In addition, the protective effects of DG against ALI were impaired by DDX5 deficiency. DDX5 inhibited the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) by recruiting the protein inhibitor of activated STAT1 (PIAS1) to STAT1. The protective effect of DG against ALI associated with oxidative stress, steatosis, and inflammation was probably via regulating the DDX5/STAT1 axis.

Oxidative Stress, Hematological and Histopathological Alterations Recovery by Methanolic Extract of Celtis Occidentalis L. Leaves in Paracetamol-Induced Hepatic Injury in Rabbit

Background: Paracetamol overdose is a leading cause of hepatotoxicity, resulting in oxidative stress and liver damage. Exploring natural therapeutic agents like Celtis occidentalis for their hepatoprotective effects is essential to mitigate these effects.Objective: To evaluate the hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and nephroprotective effects of methanolic extract of Celtis occidentalis leaves in paracetamol-induced hepatic injury in rabbits.Methods: The study involved 40 male rabbits divided into eight groups, including control, paracetamol (2 g/kg), and various doses of Celtis occidentalis extract (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) with or without silymarin (50 mg/kg). The extract's antioxidant potential was assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays. Hepatic and renal function tests, lipid profiles, and hematological parameters were measured, and histopathological evaluations of liver tissues were conducted.Results: The extract showed significant antioxidant activity, with 87.7% DPPH and 89.8% ABTS scavenging at 1000 µg/mL. It reduced ALT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin levels significantly (P&lt;0.05). High dose extract normalized lipid profiles and improved hematological parameters compared to paracetamol alone.Conclusion: Celtis occidentalis extract exhibited potent hepatoprotective effects, normalizing liver function and mitigating oxidative stress, suggesting its potential use in human healthcare for liver protection.

The Potential Hepatoprotective Effect of Vinpocetine against Lead-Induced Inflammatory and Apoptotic Cytokines in Rats

Abstract Environmental pollution with heavy metals like lead has become a matter of concern, the accumulation and multi-systemic toxicity of lead affect most body organs and its toxicity is related with many pathological changes, especially on liver. 18 Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 160-250g of both male and female were included; the animals were divided with randomness into three groups, 6 rats each group: 1st group: Rats were orally inoculated with 0.3 ml saline, after 1 hour, intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 100 μl of saline was given (Control). 2nd group: Rats received daily IP injection (20 mg/kg body wt.) of immediately preparation lead acetate for 5 days, the dose and route of administration were chose based on previous research. 3rd group Rats in this group received vinpocetine and lead as the following; at first vinpocetine administered orally by gavage tube in a dose of 3mg / kg every day for five days alone and then lead injection started in a dose of 20 mg/kg and continued for 10 days with oral vinpocetine dose where vinpocetine administered 1hr before lead. After 24 hrs (end of management period), each rat was anesthetized by diethyl ether. Liver homogenates were done; then interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and caspase 3 were estimated. Lead was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) raised IL-1beta, TNF-α and caspase 3, whereasit significantly (P &lt; 0.05) reducedIL-10 levels. On the other hand, vinpocetine significantly (P &lt; 0.05) lowered IL-1beta, caspase 3 and it significantly (P &lt; 0.05) raised IL-10 but it didn’t significantly (P &gt; 0.05) reduce TNF-α. Vinpocetine may have potential hepatoprotective effect against lead-induced toxicity. Keywords: Apoptotic, Hepatoprotective, Inflammation, Lead, Vinpocetine.

EFFECT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA SAPONIN EXTRACT ON SERUM ENZYMES AND IMMUNOMODULATORY DOSES ADMINISTERED IN WISTAR RATS

This study was aimed at investigating the impact of Moringa oleifera saponin extract on liver serum functions and immune response in Wistar rats. Wistar rats were assigned to seven dietary treatments of ten rats each in a completely randomised design consisting of a control (0.mg/L distil water) and three levels each of 1, 1.5 and 2mg/dL of both Moringa oleifera crude extracts and Moringa oleifera saponins respectively. The liver serum parameters were aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Understanding changes in liver serum is essential for evaluating the potential hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of Moringa oleifera saponin extract. There was no significant difference (P&gt;0.05) for ALT and AST, together with Zinc and Immunoglobulin (IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM). While significant difference was observed for ALP, rats given 1 mg/mL moringa extract had the least mean value of ALP. There was Increase in the ALP value for rat given moringa extract from 1 mg/mL to 2 mg/mL while that of crude moringa saponins decreased in value. Values obtained for AST and ALT of rats administered crude moringa extract were apparently higher than those of rats administered moringa saponin and tannin extracts at similar doses. Immune response were observed between the means of all the treatment for Zn, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM with control having significantly highest mean value compared to the treatments. With group given 1 mg/mL crude moringa Saponins having the least significant mean value. Therefore both moringa extract and crude moringa saponin increased in mean value for all parameters measured in the group administered 1 mg/mL to 2 mg/mL. Moreover, the phagocytic activity of immune cells, essential for clearing pathogens from the body, showed improvement in rats exposed to Moringa oleifera saponin extract.

Potential hepato-protective effect of Salvia hispanica (chia) and Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa) in diabetic male albino rats

Chia and quinoa seeds are novel sources of bioactive compounds that may improve lipid profile, blood glucose homeostasis, and body weight in diabetic rats. This work aims to study the effect of different percentages of chia and quinoa consumption, alone or in a mixture, compared to Metformin drug on regulating lipid profile, blood glucose level, and weight of male diabetic rats. The consumption of quinoa and chia seeds showed a significant decline in fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin level, Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin (HOMA-IR), while the best results were obtained with Metformin and chia seeds. A decrease in mean body weight, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), and an increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) occurred, which was significant when consuming chia and quinoa seeds rather than treatment with metformin. Chia and quinoa seeds could improve blood glucose homeostasis and lipid profile in diabetic rats. These research findings could promote the daily consumption of quinoa and chia as great functional foods that could improve blood glucose homeostasis and lipid profile.

Protective effect of β-sitosterol against high-fructose diet-induced oxidative stress, and hepatorenal derangements in growing female sprague-dawley rats

BackgroundChronic consumption of a high-fructose diet causes oxidative stress that compromises kidney and liver health. β-sitosterol (Bst), a phytosterol, is a functional nutrient with health benefits. β-sitosterol antioxidant activity protects the liver and kidney from ROS-mediated damage and lipid peroxidation. We evaluated the potential renoprotective and hepatoprotective effects of orally administrated β-sitosterol in high-fructose diet-fed growing female rats. Thirty-five 21-day old female Sprague-Dawley rat pups were randomly assigned to and administered the following treatments for 12 weeks: group I- standard rat chow (SRC) + plain drinking water (PW) + plain gelatine cube (PC); group II- SRC + 20% w/v fructose solution (FS) as drinking fluid + PC; group III- SRC + FS + 100 mg/kg body mass (BM) fenofibrate in gelatine cube; group IV- SRC + FS + 20 mg/kg BM β-sitosterol gelatine cube (Bst) and group V- SRC + PW + Bst. The rats were fasted overnight, weighed then euthanised. Blood was collected, centrifuged and plasma harvested. Livers and kidneys were excised, weighed and samples preserved for histological assessments. Plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress, liver and kidney function and renal tubular injury were assessed.ResultsHigh fructose diet fed rats had increased plasma KIM-1, NGAL (p < 0.001) and MDA levels (p < 0.05). Dietary fructose caused microvesicular and macrovesicular steatosis, and reduced glomerular density, Bowman’s capsule area and urinary space. β-sitosterol protected against the high-fructose diet-induced hepatic steatosis and glomerular disturbances without adverse effects on liver and kidney function.Conclusionsβ-sitosterol, as a dietary supplement, could potentially be exploited to prevent high-fructose diet-induced NAFLD and to protect against high-fructose diet-induced renal tubular injury.

Hepatoprotective effects of diosmin: a narrative review.

Liver diseases represent a formidable global health threat. Hesperidin, a flavonoid found in citrus fruits, is the source of diosmin (DS). The in vivo and in vitro investigations of the pharmacological effects of DS reveal that it exhibits tremendous beneficial effects, such as fighting against inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. These effects have been noticed in various disease models, emphasizing the potential therapeutic value of DS in tackling diverse pathological conditions. Interestingly, DS has promising liver-defense capabilities against a range of hepatic illnesses, such as radiation-induced hepatic injury, liver ischemia/reperfusion injury, alcoholic hepatic disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Furthermore, DS demonstrates potential hepatoprotective effects against environmental toxins, such as heavy metals. DS activates PPAR-γ and Nrf2, leading to antioxidant effects that reduce oxidative stress. Moreover, DS suppresses NF-κB, NLRP3, MAPK activities, and cytokine production (TNF-α and IL-1β), resulting in inflammation suppression. These anti-inflammatory effects are attributed to the activation of PPAR-γ and Nrf2, which are NF-κB inhibitors. This review aims to comprehensively discuss the hepatoprotective capacity of DS, elucidating the underlying mechanisms and identifying several research avenues that warrant further exploration to ascertain the prospective clinical advantages of DS intake as a viable strategy for the treatment of hepatic illnesses.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects of Withania somnifera extract on liver toxicity induced by silver nanoparticles in vivo.

The liver is a critical organ in the human body and is frequently exposed to numerous exogenous toxic substances, including silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This study aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and hepatoprotective effects of Withania somnifera (W. somnifera) extract on AgNP-induced liver toxicity in Swiss mice. Fifty mice were divided into five groups. Group I (negative control) consisted of ten mice. Group II received oral W. somnifera extracts (80 mg/kg/bw) for 14 days. Group III was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with AgNPs at a daily dose of 35 mg/kg/bw for 3 days. Group IV received i.p. AgNPs for 3 days, followed by saline for 14 days. Group V received i.p. AgNPs for 3 days, followed by oral W. somnifera (80 mg/kg/bw) for 14 days. Liver function tests, pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant activities, protein carbonyl (PC) levels, liver histopathological analysis, immunohistochemical expressions of transcription factor (NF-κB), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were examined. Group III had elevated levels of liver function, a significant increase of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant activity, and PC levels. Histological observations revealed congested sinusoids filled with red blood cells (RBCs) and hepatocyte necrosis. Also, positive expressions of NF-κB and VEGF were detected compared with Group I. However, the administration of W. somnifera to Group V revealed significant changes with evident improvements in liver function biomarkers, pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant activities, oxidative stress markers (PC), and histopathological and immunohistochemical parameters compared to Group III. The results revealed that W. somnifera has promising and potential hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic effects against liver toxicity. Further detailed studies are recommended to explore the potential of W. somnifera as a treatment for human liver ailments.

Therapeutic Promises of Ferulic Acid and its Derivatives on Hepatic damage Related with Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: A Review with Mechanisms.

Ferulic acid (FA) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound commonly found in the plant Ferula communis. This study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of FA and its derivatives (methyl ferulic acid and trans-ferulic acid) against oxidative stress and inflammation-related hepatotoxicity due to toxicants based on the results of different non-clinical and preclinical tests. For this, data was collected from different reliable electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, etc. The results of this investigation demonstrated that FA and its derivatives have potent hepatoprotective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation-related damage. The findings also revealed that these protective effects are due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the chemical compound. FA and its analogues significantly inhibit free radical generation and hinder the effects of proinflammatory markers and inflammatory enzymes, resulting in diminished cytotoxic and apoptotic hepatocyte death. The compounds also prevent intracellular lipid accumulation and provide protective effects.