Protective effect of bixin on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

BACKGROUND: The liver is an important organ for its ability to transform xenobiotics, making the liver tissue a prime target for toxic substances. The carotenoid bixin present in annatto is an antioxidant that can protect cells and tissues against the deleterious effects of free radicals. In this study, we evaluated the protective effect of bixin on liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. RESULTS: The animals were divided into four groups with six rats in each group. CCl4 (0.125 mL kg-1 body wt.) was injected intraperitoneally, and bixin (5.0 mg kg-1 body wt.) was given by gavage 7 days before the CCl4 injection. Bixin prevented the liver damage caused by CCl4, as noted by the significant decrease in serum aminotransferases release. Bixin protected the liver against the oxidizing effects of CCl4 by preventing a decrease in glutathione reductase activity and the levels of reduced glutathione and NADPH. The peroxidation of membrane lipids and histopathological damage of the liver was significantly prevented by bixin treatment. CONCLUSION: Therefore, we can conclude that the protective effect of bixin against hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 is related to the antioxidant activity of the compound.

Chemomodulatory action of Brassica compestris (var sarason) on hepatic carcinogen metabolizing enzymes, antioxidant profiles and lipid peroxidation.

The effect of two different doses (400 and 800 mg/kg body wt/day for 15 days) of a 95% ethanolic extract of the seeds of Brassica compestris (var sarason) was examined on carcinogen metabolizing phase-I and phase-II enzymes,antioxidant enzymes and glutathione content and lipid peroxidation in the liver of Swiss albino mice. Positive control mice were treated with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Significant elevation in the levels of cytochrome p450 (p<0,.05), cytochrome b5 (p < 0.05) glutathione s-transferase (p<0.01), DT-diaphorase (p<0.05), superoxide dismutase (p<0.01), catalase (p < 0.001) and reduced glutathione (p<0.001) was noted in the group treated with 800 mg/kg body wt. of Brassica extract in comparison with the negative control group. Brassica compestris acted as a bifunctional inducer since it induced both phase - I and phase - H enzyme systems. Since phase-I and phase-II enzymes are considered to be reliable markers for evaluating the chemoprevention efficacy of particular test materials,these findings are suggestive of potential chemopreventive roles for Brassica seed extract.

Some biological and genetic studies on rats treated with acrylamide with or without nigellla sativa with special reference to their effects on glutathione-s-transferase and reduced glutathione

The present study was conducted to explore the effects of acrylamide [ACR] and Nigellia sativa [N.S] [which was used as a natural protection] on biochemical, hematological and genetic profiles of Albino rats. The obtained data showed that the lowest values of serum enzymatic activities [Asparatate and Alanine amino transferase [AST, ALT]] Gamma glutamyl transferase, [GGT] and Lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] were noticed in sera of rats treated with [ACR] followed by those given [N.S] with [ACR]. Furthermore, the glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione [GSH] values were also significantly reduced in liver and kidneys of both groups treated with [ACR] after one and two weeks. Insignificant increase in activities of all studied enzymes as well as reduced glutathione [GSH] was recorded in rats treated by Nigella sativa only. On the other hand, the lowest values of packed cell volume [PCV], hoemoglobin [Hb], RBCs, WBCs, acidophils and lymphocytes were observed in [ACR] treated group allover the experimental period, these results nearly reversed in rats treated with Nigella sativa only. A slight improvement in biochemical and hematological criteria was observed in rats given [ACR] plus [N.S]. The obtained results revealed a significant decrease in the rate of mitosis in [ACR] treated group during the experimental period. The chromosomal structure and number is significantly altered in both groups treated with Acrylamide. Finally, the microscopic and ultra structural changes were observed only in the 14[th] day of experiment especially in rats treated with [ACR] and [ACR] plus [N.S]. Furtherly encountered lesions were more severe in [ACR] treated group than those given [ACR] plus [NS]