ABSTRACT
We investigated the hepatoprotective potential of Ferula communis extract for CCI4 induced liver damage. We used six groups of rats: group 1, untreated control; group 2, CCl4 treated (hepatotoxic); group 3, treated with 150 mg/kg F. communis; group 4, treated with 300 mg/kg F. communis; group 5, treated with CCl4 + 150 mg/kg F. communis; and group 6, treated with CCl4 + 300 mg/kg F. communis. Liver damage was produced by injection of 1 ml/kg CCI4 twice/week. Extracts of F. communis, 150 and 300 mg/kg/day, were administered for 8 weeks. The effects of F. communis were assessed by measuring aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and total bilirubin (T-BIL) levels, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the liver. The histology and immunohistochemistry of liver tissue were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and caspase 3 and 8-OHdG immunostaining. F. communis extract produced significant reductions in elevated levels of ALT, AST, GGT and T-BIL and increased levels of GPx and SOD in rats treated with CCl4. F. communis extract decreased CCl4 induced 8-OHdG formation and caspase 3 activation significantly in hepatocytes, especially at the 150 mg/kg dose. Our findings demonstrate the potential efficacy of F. communis for attenuating CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative damage.
Subject(s)
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/drug therapy , Liver/drug effects , Liver/physiopathology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine/metabolism , Alanine Transaminase/metabolism , Animals , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism , Carbon Tetrachloride , Caspase 3/metabolism , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/physiopathology , Ferula , Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism , Herb-Drug Interactions , Liver/metabolism , Male , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Rats , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolismABSTRACT
Medicinal plants are increasingly being projected as suitable alternative source for the treatment of various diseases. However, toxic effects resulting from therapeutic bismuth compounds are still documented in animals and humans. This study described the genetic effects of five common lichen species and compared their activities on the genotoxicity induced by the colloidal bismuth subcitrate. After the application of colloidal bismuth subcitrate and lichen extracts, separate and together, human whole blood cultures were assessed by sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus tests. According to our results, the frequencies of SCE and micronucleus rate in peripheral lymphocytes were significantly increased by colloidal bismuth subcitrate (at dose 5 microg/mL) compared with controls. However, lichen extracts had no genotoxic effect. The order of antigenotoxicity efficacy against colloidal bismuth subcitrate was Pseudevernia furfuracea, Dermotocarpon intestiniforme, Ramalina capitata, Parmelia pulla, respectively. However, Rhizoplaca melanophthalma did not show any effect against colloidal bismuth subcitrate genotoxicity. Present findings showed that the protective roles of lichens studied were dose related. In conclusion, this is the first study report describing the therapeutic potential of lichens against drug genotoxicity in human blood.
Subject(s)
DNA Damage/drug effects , Lichens , Organometallic Compounds/toxicity , Adult , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Sister Chromatid ExchangeABSTRACT
Polychlorinated biphenyls are a widespread aquatic contaminant. In this article, specific polychlorinated biphenyl congeners were examined for embryo and early life-stage toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio). A set of three polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (non-ortho polychlorinated biphenyl 126, mono-ortho polychlorinated biphenyl 28 and di-ortho polychlorinated biphenyl 153) were tested. The typical lesions observed were yolk sac edema, vertebra defect, craniofacial malformations (double head, triple retina), anaxial body and inhibition of swim bladder inflation. Moreover, embryo and larval mortality increased and hatching success decreased. The severity of abnormalities and mortalities were concentration- and congener-dependent. Of the compounds tested, polychlorinated biphenyl congener 126 was found to be highly toxic to the fish embryos following exposure. The Lethal Concentration 50 values for polychlorinated biphenyl 28, polychlorinated biphenyl 126, polychlorinated biphenyl 153 calculated by probit analysis were 3.270, 1.298 and 5.375 ppm, respectively. The inhibition of swim bladder inflation was the most sensitive endpoint measured, and it is suggested that the inhibition of swim bladder inflation may be mediated by mechanism with an aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation.
