Grape seed protects cholestatic rats liver from ischemia/reperfusion injury

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To determine the effect of grape-seed extract against ischemia/reperfusion injury in cholestatic liver. METHODS: Eighteen Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups. In control and study groups, cholestasis was provided by bile duct ligation. Seven days later, the rats were subjected to 30 min hepatic ischemia, followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Oral administration of 50 mg/kg/day grape-seed extract was started 15 days before bile duct ligation and continued to the second operation in the study group. Serum, plasma and liver samples were taken. Laboratory analysis, tissue gluthation, malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase levels and histopathological examination were performed. RESULTS: Significant decrease in liver gluthation level and significant increase in malondialdehyde level and myeloperoxidase activity were observed after ischemia/reperfusion in cholestatic rats. Serum and plasma levels for laboratory analysis were also significantly higher in cholestatic I/R group. Hepatic necrosis and fibrosis were detected in histopathological examination. Oral grape-seed extract administiration reversed all these parameters and histopathological findings except serum bilirubin levels. CONCLUSION: Oral grape-seed extract treatment can improve liver functions and attenuate the inflammation and oxidative stress in cholestatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Effect of alkaloids and saponins of plant origin on biomphalaria alexandrina snails

Lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] [E.C. 1.1.1.28] and glycogen of Biomphalaria alexandrina, the speceific molluscan intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni, were measured in snails treated with alkaloids extracted from peganum harmala seeds and saponins extracted from luffa cylindrica seeds. Biochemical and histochemical investigations revealed marked depletion in glycogen. Biochemically, LDH activity increased significantly in the lacltate producing direction. This was confirmed histochemically by an inhibition of the enzyme in the pyruvate producing direction in the hepatopancreas and headfoot muscles. The effects were more pronounced in alkaloid treated snails than those treated with saponins. The results indicate an inhibitory effect of both alkaloids and saponins on the aerobic respiration of B. alexandrina. This in turn could inhibit the host-parasite association and hence combat schistosomiasis. Disturbance of the aerobic pathway and stimulation of anaerobia metabolism may lead to glycogen depletion in the host which is the most important prerequiste for the developing parasite