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Aims: This study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Santolina chamaecyparissusaqueous and ethanol extracts against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methodology: Phytochemical analysis of Santolina chamaecyparissus aqueous and ethanol extracts was conducted, and then the hepatoprotective activity of these extracts was evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats by assessing serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase alkaline phosphatasen, lactate dehydrogenase activities and assessing catalase, superoxide dismutase and malonaldialdehyde in liver. Total bilirubin, cholesterol and triglycerides were also determined. Moreover, hepatic tissue damage was verified. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids in aqueous and ethanol extracts of Santolina chamaecyparissus leaves. Both extracts contain chlorogenic acid as significant constituent (1958.21, 2726.57 mg/kg of extract, respectively), while apigenin-7-glycoside was detected as the significant flavonoid (42.44, 66.63 mg/kg of extract, respectively). The intra-peritoneal administration of CCl4to rats induced remarkable hepatotoxicity by increasing hepatic damage. However, oral administration of both extracts at 30, 150 and 300 mg/kg during 7 days significantly prevented liver injury by decreasing aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase activities. Total bilirubin, cholesterol, triglyceride and malondialdehyde were also decreased, while superoxide dismutase activity was restored. On the other hand, aqueous and ethanol extracts protected liver tissue against steatosis and hepatocytic necrosis. The hepatoprotective effect of both extracts was similar to that of 100 mg/kg of silymarin, used as a reference. Conclusion: The present study revealed that Santolina chamaecyparissus aqueous and ethanol extracts are rich in phenolic compounds and exhibit hepatoprotective activity, so they can constitute a promising natural source to develop novel therapeutic drugs for treating liver disorders.
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Aims: Capparis spinosa L. is a plant widely used in traditional medicine for its different purpose including the anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of this plant and to define its possible mechanism of action by verifying its effect on the production of some inflammatory mediators. Methodology: The anti-inflammatory activity of Capparis spinosa bud methanolic extract was evaluated in vivo, using paw edema and air pouch inflammation models. In vitro, the ability of the extract to modulate the production of some pro and anti-inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8 and IL-10 released from peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by concanavalin A was evaluated. Moreover, the effect of the extract on LTB4 and superoxide anion released from neutrophils was tested. Results: Results showed that the oral administration of 200 and 400 mg/kg of Capparis spinosa methanolic extract reduced significantly carrageenan-induced paw edema. Above 2 h, both doses of the extract exerted a significant (P < 0.001) anti-edematous effect, with 52%-69%. In addition, this extract inhibited the neutrophil migration into the air pouch. The inhibition exerted by 1 mg/pouch of the extract (48.92%) was better than that exerted by indomethacin, used as reference. On the other hand, the extract inhibited significantly the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, LTB4 and superoxide anion generation. At 100 µg/mL, the inhibition values were 21.28%, 38.04%, 20.84% and 71.16%, respectively. In contrast, the extract did not show any significant effect on the release of IL-8 and IL-10. Conclusion: Capparis spinosa bud extract inhibited the inflammatory process by modulating the pro-inflammatory mediator release. Thus this extract can offer a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.
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ABSTRACT The protective activity of methanolic (Met E) and aqueous (Aq E) extracts of Globularia alypum L. (G. alypum) against DNA, lipid and protein oxidative damage was investigated. Moreover, the scavenging, chelating, and reducing power activities of the extracts were also evaluated. Phytochemical analysis was performed to determine phenolic compounds. Results showed that Met E and Aq E were rich in phenolic compounds, and were able to scavenge DPPH˙ with IC50 values of 48.61 µg/mL and 51.97 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, both extracts were able to chelate ferrous ions. At 300 μg/mL, the chelating activity was 97.53% and 91.02%, respectively. The reducing power of these extracts was also remarkable and concentration dependent. At 100 µg/mL, both extracts inhibited lipid peroxidatin by only 42.45% and 4.03%. However, the DNA oxidation damage was inhibited dose-dependently in the presence of G. alypum extracts. At 1 mg/mL, both extracts suppressed DNA cleavage by 83%-84%. The protein oxidation was also inhibited by G. alypum extracts. At 1 mg/mL, Aq E and Met E protected BSA fragmentation by 77%-99%. The overall results suggest that G. alypum extracts exerted antioxidant activity and protect biomolecules against oxidative damage; hence it may serve as a potential source of natural antioxidants.
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This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Pistacia lentiscus leaves. Croton oil-induced ear edema in mice, acetic acid-induced vascular permeability in mice and carrageenan induced-pleurisy in rats were conducted as acute inflammation models. Chemotaxis and elastase activity of human neutrophils were assayed in vitro. Results showed that local treatment with 2 mg/ear of alcoholic extract decreased significantly the ear edema (65%), while the aqueous extract exerted a lower inhibitory effect (51%). Moreover, the oral treatment with 200 mg/kg of alcoholic extract inhibited the vascular permeability by 46%, whereas the aqueous extract caused only 28% of inhibition. Furthermore, both extracts reduced significant the carrageenan induced-pleurisy. Indeed, at 400 mg/kg, the extracts inhibited the neutrophil migration by 29% and 38%, respectively, and reduced the number of the PMNS migrated into the pleural exudates by 49% and 43%, respectively. At 100 μg/mL, the methanolic and aqueous extracts inhibited neutrophil chemataxis by 81% and 71%, respectively, and reduced significantly the elastase activity with maximum values of 82% and 90%, respectively. These findings provide valuable evidence for the potential anti-inflammatory of Pistacia lentiscus leaves, suggesting that this plant can be exploited as a natural source of anti-inflammatory agents.