Preventive effects of Polygonum minus essential oil on cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity in sprague dawley rats

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent widely used in treating various types of cancer. However, its usage is restricted due to the adverse hepatoxicity, as seen in approximately 36% of cancer patients receiving cisplatin treatment. Polygonum minus essential oil has high antioxidant capacity, and is enriched with terpenoids and phenolic compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of P. minus essential oil (PmEO) supplementation on cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male rats were divided into seven different groups, namely: control (C), cisplatin-induced (CP), positive control with β-caryophyllene 150 mg/kg (BCP), PmEO 100 mg/kg (PmEO100CP), PmEO 200 mg/kg (PmEO200CP), PmEO 400 mg/kg (PmEO400CP) and PmEO 400 mg/kg alone (PmEO400). PmEO and BCP was given orally for 14 days prior to a single dose cisplatin (10 mg/kg) injection on day 15 and rats were sacrificed on day 18. Liver enzymes, histology, ultrastructural morphology and oxidative stress markers such as glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde were assayed. Compared to controls, levels of transaminase enzymes, serum bilirubin and oxidative stress were all increased in CP, PmEO200CP and PmEO400CP groups. However, only PmEO100CP and BCP groups reduced these increases in level of transaminase enzymes and oxidative stress compared to CP group. On both light microscopic and ultrastructural examination, CP and PmEO400CP groups showed hepatotoxicity, exhibited by cytoplasmic vacuolation, congested blood sinusoids and increased number of Kupffer cells. However, these changes were minimized in the PmEO100CP group. Therefore, we concluded that PmEO given at 100 mg/kg has preventive effect against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Polygonum minus essential oil modulates cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity through inflammatory and apoptotic pathways

Oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis are thought as primary mediators of cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity. The objective of this study was to determine the protective effect of Polygonum minus essential oil in cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity. A total of forty-two male rats were randomly divided into seven groups: control, cisplatin, β-caryophyllene 150 mg/kg (BCP), PmEO 100 mg/kg + cisplatin (PmEO100CP), PmEO 200 mg/kg + cisplatin (PmEO200CP), PmEO 400 mg/kg + cisplatin (PmEO400CP) and PmEO 400 mg/kg (PmEO400). Rats in the BCP, PmEO100CP, PmEO200CP, PmEO400CP and PmEO400 group received respective treatment orally for 14 consecutive days prior to cisplatin injection. All animals except for those in the control group and PmEO400 were administered with a single dose of cisplatin (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally on day 15 and all animals were sacrificed on day 18. PmEO100CP pretreatment protected against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity by decreasing CYP2E1 and indicators of oxidative stress including malondialdehyde, 8-OHdG and protein carbonyl which was accompanied by increased antioxidant status (glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) as compared to cisplatin group. PmEO100CP pretreatment also modulated changes in liver inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10). PmEO100CP administration also notably reduced cisplatin-induced apoptosis significantly as compared to cisplatin group. In conclusion, our results suggested that P. minus essential oil at a dose of 100 mg/kg may protect against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity possibly via inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis

Supplementation of Psidium guajava (Guava) fruit polysaccharide attenuates paracetamol-induced liver injury by enhancing the endogenous antioxidant activity

This study was aimed to determine the effect of polysaccharide from guava fruit on paracetamol (PCM)-induced liver injury. Aqueous extract of Psidium guajava fruit was treated with 95% ethanol to collect the water soluble polysaccharide precipitates. Thirty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control (C), PPG400, PCM, PPG200+PCM and PPG400+PCM. The control and PCM groups received 0.9% normal saline orally while the rest were given 200 and 400 mg/kg of freeze-dried polysaccharide (PPG) per oral for fourteen days. At day 15, the animals were orally received PCM (2 g/kg) except the control and PPG400 groups which received 5% dimethyl sulfoxide. At day 16, the blood was collected to determine serum liver enzymes such as transaminases (AST and ALT). The liver tissue was harvested for determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL6), microscopic changes and glycogen content. The PCM group showed significant higher level of AST, ALT, TNF-α and IL6 than those of group C. The PCM group showed glycogen depletion, vacuolisation, loss of cell membrane, inflammatory cells infiltration and distorted hepatocelluar cords and narrow sinusoidal spaces. However, those PCM-induced alterations were attenuated by the PPG supplementation. Therefore, the polysaccharide of Psidium guajava possesses hepatoprotective activity and can be used as a dietary supplementation for protection of liver

Piper sarmentosum water extract attenuates diabetic complications in streptozotocin induced sprague-dawley rats

Piper sarmentosum has been shown to possess antihyperglycemic effect. The effect of water extract of PS leaves was determined on the diabetic complications in streptozotocin induced rats. Eighteen male Sprague Dawley rats (n=18) were randomly divided into three groups with six rats each, namely, control, diabetic untreated and PS treated diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced with intramuscular injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). Ten days following the induction, the diabetes was confirmed with fasting blood sugar level more than 8 mmol/L and PS extract was administered orally (0.125 g/kg) for 28 days. The left kidneys were collected to analyze. The body weight and kidney weight index showed significant differences between control and diabetic groups (p<0.05). However, the lesser extent of body weight gain was observed in diabetic group compared with the control groups. The fasting blood sugar level was reduced in PS treated group. The percent area occupied by the glomerulus over a renal corpuscle was found to be 74.5% in DPS, 72% in DNT and 75% in C group; however it was statistically insignificant. Histological study revealed marked inflammatory cells infiltration and glomeruli contraction with widened urinary spaces revealed in DNT group following 28 days of hyperglycemic state whereas the DPS group showed features of improvement. The water extract of PS leaves has the potential preventive effect on the diabetic nephropathy by reducing hyperglycemia

Plantago major treatment enhanced innate antioxidant activity in experimental acetaminophen toxicity

Objective: To determine the effect of Plantago major (P. major) extract on the liver injury following acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity. Methods: The male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 38) were randomly divided into normal control (n = 6) and experiment (n = 32) groups. The latter was subdivided into four groups and induced with APAP (1000 mg/kg) per oral, followed by P. major extract and N-acetylcysteine orally to the respective groups for six days. Results: On the seventh day, the serum bilirubin, liver enzymes and tissue malondialdehyde were increased in APAP groups whereas the total protein in serum, tissue superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels were reduced. The plant extract treatment reduced the histological deteriorations such as aggregation of hepatocellular cords, formation of binucleated cells and vacuolisation of the cells with scanty cytoplasm. It also revealed significant reduction of malondialdehyde and increased level of superoxide dismutase and glutathione. The findings in the extract treated groups were comparable to the group treated with N-acetylcysteine. Conclusions: In conclusion, P. major can enhance innate antioxidant activity and ameliorate the APAP-induced liver injury

Curcumin Protects against Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Changes in Rat Model

Osteoporosis is a metabolic disease affecting both men and women especially in postmenopausal women. Curcumin possesses many medicinal properties. In this study, thirty two female Sprague-Dawley rats were used to determine the potential effect of curcumin in prevention of bone loss following ovariectomy. The animals were divided into Sham group, ovariectomised control, ovariectomised treated with curcumin 110 mg/kg and ovariectomised treated with Premarin 100 μg/kg. The treatments were given via daily oral gavages for 60 days. The structural parameters such as bone volume, trabecular number, trabecular thickness and trabecular separation were found to be deteriorated in ovariectomised rats compared to Sham group. Moreover, the reduced osteoblast count, the increased osteoclast count and increased eroded surface were found in ovariectomised groups. Treatment with curcumin was able to reverse all these ovariectomy-induced deteriorations. Curcumin treatment was as effective as Premarin in most parameters except the bone volume and eroded surface, which were better than Premarin. The high dose of curcumin treatment was not only able to reduce the osteoclast number but also increase the osteoblast count. Therefore, the potential effect of curcumin can be applied as an alternative to oestrogen for prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Reheated Palm Oil Consumption and Risk of Atherosclerosis: Evidence at Ultrastructural Level

Background. Palm oil is commonly consumed in Asia. Repeatedly heating the oil is very common during food processing. Aim. This study is aimed to report on the risk of atherosclerosis due to the reheated oil consumption. Material and Methods. Twenty four male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control, fresh-oil, 5 times heated-oil and 10 times heated-oil feeding groups. Heated palm oil was prepared by frying sweet potato at 180°C for 10 minutes. The ground standard rat chows were fortified with the heated oils and fed it to the rats for six months. Results. Tunica intima thickness in aorta was significantly increased in 10 times heated-oil feeding group (P<0.05), revealing a huge atherosclerotic plaque with central necrosis projecting into the vessel lumen. Repeatedly heated oil feeding groups also revealed atherosclerotic changes including mononuclear cells infiltration, thickened subendothelial layer, disrupted internal elastic lamina and smooth muscle cells fragmentation in tunica media of the aorta. Conclusion. The usage of repeated heated oil is the predisposing factor of atherosclerosis leading to cardiovascular diseases. It is advisable to avoid the consumption of repeatedly heated palm oil

Anti-Inflammatory Property of Plantago major Leaf Extract Reduces the Inflammatory Reaction in Experimental Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury

Hepatic injury induces inflammatory process and cell necrosis. Plantago major is traditionally used for various diseases. This study aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory property of P. major leaf extracts on inflammatory reaction following acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups, namely, normal control (C), APAP, aqueous (APAP + AQ), methanol (APAP + MT), and ethanol (APAP + ET) extract treated groups. All APAP groups received oral APAP (2 g/kg) at day 0. Then, 1000 mg/kg dose of P. major extracts was given for six days. The levels of liver transaminases were measured at day 1 and day 7 after APAP induction. At day 7, the blood and liver tissue were collected to determine plasma cytokines and tissue 11β-HSD type 1 enzyme. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of methanol, ethanol, and aqueous extracts were 26.74 ± 1.6%, 21.69 ± 2.81%, and 12.23 ± 3.15%, respectively. The ALT and AST levels were significantly higher in the APAP groups at day 1 whereas the enzyme levels of all groups showed no significant difference at day 7. The extracts treatment significantly reduced the proinflammatory cytokine levels and significantly increased the 11β-HSD type 1 enzyme activity (p<0.05). In conclusion, the P. major extracts attenuate the inflammatory reaction following APAP-induced liver injury

Effect of Tinospora crispa on thioacetamide-induced liver cirrhosis in rats

Objectives : This study was conducted to determine the effect of ethanolic extract of the dried stems of Tinospora crispa in a male rat model of hepatic fibrosis caused by the hepatotoxin, thioacetamide. Materials and Methods : The extract was gavaged daily to the rats, at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg along with thioacetamide at a dose of 200 mg/kg twice weekly. To assess the effectivity of extract, against thioacetamide, the activity of aminotransferases (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase), alkaline phosphatase (AP); and bilirubin were measured, together with morphological and histopathological indices in the liver of healthy and thioacetamide-treated rats. Results : A significant increase in the activity of liver enzymes, bilirubin and G-glutamyl transferase and gross and histopathological changes were determined. Although previous in vitro study established that this extract had strong antioxidant activity, this in vivo study establishes that this extract contains hepatotoxins whose identity may be quite different from those compounds with antioxidant properties. Conclusion : The study confirms that complete reliance on data obtained using in vitro methodologies may lead to erroneous conclusions pertaining to the safety of phytopharmaceuticals