A Sargassum fluitans Borgesen Ethanol Extract Exhibits a Hepatoprotective Effect In Vivo in Acute and Chronic Liver Damage Models

Abstract

One of the leading causes of death worldwide, cirrhosis, is a liver condition characterized by chronic necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Hepatoprotective compounds, such as antioxidants, can prevent fibrosis. Macroalgae (seaweed) contain high amounts of antioxidant compounds and are plentiful; indeed, species such as Sargassum fluitans Borgesen (Phaeophyceae) carpet many beaches in the Caribbean Basin. An in vivo assay was done evaluating the possible hepatoprotective effect of a Sargassum fluitans ethanol extract. Two murine liver damage models were employed: acetaminophen (APAP) in Balb/c mice to induce acute damage; carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in Wistar rats to induce chronic damage. Serum liver enzyme levels and relative liver weight were measured, and histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of liver tissue sections were done. Both APAP and CCl4 significantly raised serum enzyme marker enzymes. Administration of 50 mg/kg S. Fluitans ethanol extract reduced this APAP- and CCl4-induced elevation to normal levels. This effect was corroborated by the extract's inhibition of inflammation and fibrosis in liver tissue observed in the histopathological analysis. The analyzed S. fluitans ethanol extract exhibited an in vivo hepatoprotective effect in acute and chronic liver injury models.

Seaweed Exhibits Therapeutic Properties against Chronic Diseases: An Overview

“…Hepatoprotection has been reported with the administration of Turbinaria decurrens fucoidan, which ameliorates antioxidant status and decreases lipid peroxidation marker levels [73]. Administration of 50 mg/kg Sargassum fluitans ethanol extract reduced the levels of APAP − and CCl 4 − in liver damage models through the inhibition of inflammation and fibrosis in liver tissue [32]. This result is in accordance with the research on the hepatoprotective effects of Myagropsis myagroides, Sargassum henslowianum, and Sargassum siliquastrum [152].…”

“…Several studies have revealed that dietary habits and traditional culture in consuming seaweed in Asian countries, especially in Japan and Korea, are correlated with a lower incidence of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, and obesity [6,[23][24][25][26][27]. Several studies have also revealed that consumption of seaweed can reduce the occurrence of chronic pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases [28], cardiovascular disease [29], obesity [30], diabetes [14], cancer [31], liver disease [32], osteoporosis [33], and arthritis [34]. Furthermore, collaborative cohort studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of the seaweed diet in Japan and Korea, and the results of these studies showed that seaweed-containing diets are related to protection against cancer (Iso and Kubota 2007; Kim et al 2020c).…”

Combination of metformin and luteolin synergistically protects carbon tetrachloride‐induced hepatotoxicity: Mechanism involves antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and Nrf2/HO‐1 signaling pathway

“…Hepatocytes are the primary part that manages different metabolic actions of the liver. Alteration of this organ will result in disorder of metabolic function of the body . Unintended high dosage administration of CCl 4 can be a consequence for liver injury.…”

“…Hepatocytes are the primary part that manages different metabolic actions of the liver. Alteration of this organ will result in 10,[28][29][30] Unintended high dosage administration of CCl 4 can be a consequence for liver injury. The advancement of CCl 4 -actuated hepatotoxicity appears to depend mostly on the presence of free radicals and oxidative processes.…”

Mycelium Polysaccharides from Termitomyces albuminosus Attenuate CCl4-Induced Chronic Liver Injury Via Inhibiting TGFβ1/Smad3 and NF-κB Signal Pathways

“…Chronic liver disease can induce many complications, and it has become a major contributor to high morbidity and mortality rates [1]. Moreover, the World Health Organization has reported that approximately 2.3 million people suffer from liver diseases each year [2]. The liver, the most important metabolic and detoxification organ against various endogenous and exogenous harmful substances, is sensitive to environmental toxins and easily damaged by chemicals such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) [3].…”