Efficacy of Psidium guajava leaf extract against liver diseases in guinea pigs

Serum levels of aspartate aminotransfcrase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] were analysed in guinea pigs after daily treatment with 1 g/kg Psidium guajava [PG] aqueous leaf extract for five days followed by subcutaneous administration of 50 mg/kg CC[1], in order to assess the preventive effect of the extract on liver damage. In addition, the levels of the enzymes in guinea pigs administered with 50 mg/kg CC1[4] followed by 3 and 6 days treatment with the plant extract were determined in order to assess the efficacy of the extract in the cure of liver damage. Guinea pigs orally treated with 1 g/kg leaf extract of PG followed by subcutaneous administration of 50 mg/kg CC1[4] had serum levels of AST, ALT and ALP above the normal range. However, guinea pigs orally treated with 1 g/kg leaf extract of PG for 3 and 6 days following subcutaneous administration of 50 mg/kg CC1[4] had serum levels of AST. ALT and ALP not significantly different [P < 0.05] from those in control guinea pigs. Thus wherever the leaf extract of PG could not effectively prevent CC1[4] induced liver damage, it was found to effectively cure it

Hepatoprotective activity of capparis spinosa root bark against CC1[4] induced hepatic damage in mice

Many hepatoprotective herbal preparations have been recommended in alternative systems of medicine for the treatment of hepatic disorders. No systematic study has been done on protective efficacy of Capparis spinosa [Capparidaceae] to treat hepaticjdiseases. Protective action of C. spinosa ethanolic root bark extract was evaluated by this study in an animal model of hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride. Healthy male mice [30-35 g body weight, 6-8 weeks old] were divided into 7 groups. Group 1 was normal control group; Group 2, the hepatotoxic group was given CCL[4]; Group 3 was administered olive oil [vehicle]; Groups 4-6 received different doses of ethanolic root bark extract [100. 200 and 400 mg/kg] with CCL[4]; Group 7 was administered overdose of extract [800 mg/kg]. The parameters studied were alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase activities and duration of sleep. The hepatoprotective activity was also supported by histopathological studies of liver tissue. Results of the biochemical studies of blood samples of CCL[4] treated animals showed significant increase in the levels of serum enzyme activities reflecting the liver injury caused by CCL[4]. Whereas blood samples from the animals treated with ethanolic root bark extracts showed significant decrease in the levels of serum markers indicating the protection of hepatic cells. The results revealed that ethanolic root bark extract of C. spinosa could afford significant dose-dependent protection against CCL[4] induced hepatocellular injury

Toxic effects of the synthetic food dye brilliant blue on liver, kidney and testes functions in rats

Evaluation of the toxic effects of synthetic dyes brilliant blue were tested in rats by measuring their actions on serum activity of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminas [AST], glutamate pyruvate transaminase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], acid phosphatase [ACP], serum total bilirubin [SBIL-T], serum creatinine [SCR], serum urea [SUR] and serum testosterone concentrations. Rats were fed synthetic brilliant blue dye supplemented diet, daily for 15, 30 and 45 days. Brilliant blue dye caused an increase of ALT, AST, ALP, SBIL-T, SUR and SCR. This increase was more pronounced in animals treated with repeated single higher doses than in those receiving the repeated single lower doses. On the contrary, serum ACP and testosterone concentrations were decreased after treatment. Histopathological examinations revealed alterations in kidneys include: congestion and hemorrhage with infiltration, thick walled blood vessels and deformation of the structure of glomeruli. Whereas alterations in liver include: focal necrosis of hepatocytes, infiltration and vacuolation. Testes showed irregular shape of seminiferous tubules, atrophy of Leydig cells and disturbance in spermatogenesis. Results indicated that the used doses of the synthetic dye brilliant blue were mostly attributable to hepatocellular damage, renal failure and decrease in spermatogenesis process

Comparative haematological and hepatorenal toxicity of IGR, lufenuron and profenofos insecticide on albino rats

The present investigation was conducted to compare the toxicity of the IGR, lufenuron and the organophosphorus insecticide, profenofos on blood content, liver and kidney functions of male albino rats. The tested compounds were orally administered to rats at 1/20 and 1/10 of their median lethal doses [LD50s] for two months [day after another], then toxicants were withdrawn for 30 days to allow recovery of toxic effects. Data indicated that 1/10 LD50 of both compounds caused significant changes on blood contents and biochemical parameters of treated rats without return to normal levels at the end of recovery period, while, the smallest dose revealed negligible changes on some tested parameters with resumed normal values. The adverse effects reached its peak at 45 and 60 days of treatment [high dose treated rats] followed by decrease during recovery intervals without returned to normal, but at 1/10 LD50, lufenuron caused sever damage on kidney; urea and creatinine showed high levels at the end of recovery periods [92.0 and 220.0% above normal level, respectively]. Data indicated that, 1/10 LD50 of lufenuron treated rats exhibited changes in leucocytes, platelets counts, transaminases activities, creatinine and urea concentrations more than the organophosphorus insecticide. On the contrary, the same dose of profenofos mostly affected on erythrocytes counts, haemoglobin levels and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] activity. The obtained data would suggest that the two tested compounds at high dose have an inhibitory action on haemopiesis. In addition, both compounds proved to have comparable toxicity towards animals

Hepatic and renal biochemical responses to the toxicological interaction between acetylsalicylic acid and diazinon in albino rats

The present investigation is aiming at studying the effect of administrating sublethal dose of the insecticide "Diazinon" with and without acetylsalicylic acid [Aspirin, ASA]. Sixty male albino rats were given orally 1/30 LD50 of the insecticide "Diazinon", with and without the high therapeutic dose of acetylsalicylic acid at a dose of [13.5mg/ kg b.w. daily] for 3 weeks. Biochemical indices of liver and kidney functions, namely serum proteins, alanine amino transferase [ALT], aspartate transaminase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], bilirubin, cholesterol, triglyceride [TG], urea and creatinine levels were determined at the end of the experiment. The present results showed significant changes in serum ALT, AST, ALP, Biliribin, Triglyceride levels. The changes in enzyme levels indicate the toxicity of the insecticide "Diazinon" alone or in combination with the high therapeutic dose of the anti inflammatory drug "acetyl salicylic acid". The treatments did not affect the level of cholesterol or renal excretory function

Modulatory effect of the red sea soft coral extracts on hepatotoxicity induced by carcinogenic agents in rat model

Recently, there has been a growing interest in the presence of pharmacologically active components in the aquatic environment. Soft corals are prominent reef organisms in the Red Sea and are prolific sources of terpenoids, especially cembranoid diterpenes. The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of the extract from the aqueous MeOH [80%] extract of each of the three Red Sea soft corals: Sinularia polydactyla, Sarcophyton trocheliophorum and Xenia macrospiculata on hepatic toxicity induced by the carcinogenic agents 7, 12 dimethyl benz [a] anthracene [DMBA] and 12-Otetradecanoyl phorbol-13- acetate [TPA] in adult female rats. The results revealed that the liver functions were markedly improved and the levels of tumor markers as well as the inorganic free radical "NO" in serum were significantly decreased as a results of the treatment with three coral extracts. Moreover, treatment of DMBA and TPA-intoxicated groups with the coral extracts resulted in significant reduction in hepatic oxidative stress in concomitant with significant elevation in hepatic SOD activity as compared to the group intoxicated with DMBA and TPA only. Serum estradiol and corticosterone levels were high significantly decreased in the groups intoxicated with DMBA and TPA and treated with the three extracts compared to the group intoxicated with DMBA and TPA only. The soft coral Xenia macrospiculata extract, exerted the highest potential to inhibit hepatotoxicity induced by the tested carcinogenic agents. Each of the soft coral extracts has played a vital role in modulating the severe hepatotoxicity caused by the administration of the two carcinogenic agents DMBA and TPA. The liver functions were significantly promoted beyond normal status, while the hepatooxidative stress was markedly depressed. These results may provide new concept for development of effective therapies for some diseases involving hepatotoxicity

Protection of cirrhotic liver during anesthesia

The combination of antioxidant compounds is beneficial to ameliorate hepatotoxicity in cirrhotic patient undergoing general anesthesia as indicated by reduction of the up-regulation of soluble adhesion molecule [sICAM-1] level and other liver functions. Twenty two surgical patients [child class A] divided into two groups. Antioxidant group: received one gm.h-1 of N-acetyl cysteine [Mucomyst] infusion after induction of anesthesia and continuously till the end of surgery. One gram of ascorbic acid [Vitamin C] and 400 IU of -tocopherol [Vitamin E] were administered iv over 10-15 min with closure of rectus sheath. The other group received equal volumes of normal saline during the same periods. Three blood samples were taken from every patient before induction of anesthesia, one hour and one day after surgery for measurement of sICAM-1 and other liver functions [total proteins, serum albumin, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], total and direct serum bilirubin]. sICAM-1 increased in both groups in the postoperative samples with more increase in saline group [P < 0.05]. Other liver functions showed significant increase in ALT, AST and ALP one hour postoperatively in saline group only. After one day they increased in both groups with more significant elevation in saline group. Serum total proteins, serum albumin, total and direct bilirubin showed no significant changes in both groups. These results proved that the combination of antioxidant compounds during general anesthesia in cirrhotic patient reduce the up-regulation of sICAM-1 which appear to be a good marker for hepatic impairments

comparative study of the effect of griseofulvin and ketoconazole on some liver functions

Sixty six patients suffering from dermatophyte infections of different clinical types were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups, group A received ketoconazole [30 patients]. Clinical. Mycological and liver function tests were performed before therapy and after one month and 2 months treatment. Our results showed that clinical response to treatment was nearly equal in both groups without significant difference [p > 0.05]. no clinical evidence of liver toxicity was observed in either group. All parameters of liver function tests were insignificantly elevated after one month of therapy with either drug. However after 2 months, there was significant elevation of total bilirubin [p < 0.05] and highly significant increase in direct bilirubin [p < 0.001] in both groups. In conclusion, there was no significant difference between the effect of either drug on liver function tests except that alkaline phosphatase showed significant increase [p < 0.05] after 2 months of treatment with griseofulvin compared to ketoconazole