Antioxidant Properties Mediate Nephroprotective and Hepatoprotective Activity of Essential Oil and Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of the High-Altitude Plant Skimmia anquetilia

Abstract

There are many high-altitude plants such as Skimmia anquetilia that are unexplored for their possible medicinal values. The present study was conducted to examine the antioxidant activities of Skimmia anquetilia (SA) using in vitro and in vivo models. The SA hydro-alcoholic extracts were investigated using LC-MS for their chemical constituents. The essential oil and hydro-alcoholic extracts of SA were evaluated for pharmacological properties. The antioxidant properties were evaluated using in vitro DPPH, reducing power, cupric reducing antioxidant power, and metal chelating assays. The anti-hemolytic activity was carried out using a human blood sample. The in vivo antioxidant activities were evaluated using CCL4-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity assay. The in vivo evaluation included histopathological examination, tissue biochemical evaluation such as the kidney function test, catalase activity, reduced glutathione activity, and lipid peroxidation estimation. The phytochemical investigation showed that the hydro-alcoholic extract contains multiple important active constituents such as L-carnosine, acacetin, linoleic acid, leucylleucyl tyrosine, esculin sesquihydrate, etc., similar to the components of SA essential oil reported in a previous study. The high amount of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) reflect (p < 0.001) a high level of reducing power, cupric reducing, and metal chelating properties. This significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited enlargement of the liver, with a significant reduction in ALT (p < 0.01) and AST (p < 0.001). Highly significant improvement in the functioning of the kidney was noted using the blood urea and creatinine (p < 0.001) levels. Tissue-based activities showed a major rise in catalase, reduced glutathione, and reduced lipid peroxidation activities. We conclude from this study that the occurrence of a high quantity of flavonoid and phenolic contents had strong antioxidant properties, leading to hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activity. Further active constituent-specific activities should be evaluated.

The Effects of Foliar Salicylic Acid and Zinc Treatments on Proline, Carotenoid, and Chlorophyll Content and Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Activity in Galanthus elwesii Hook

“…This suggests that high concentrations of Zn can be toxic to G. elwesii leaves and can lead to a decrease in CAT enzyme activity. Previous studies have shown that Zn can act as a cofactor of many antioxidant enzymes, which can help reduce the accumulation of ROS in plant tissues [65,66]. Our results are consistent with these findings, and they suggest that Zn treatment can be an effective way to increase the antioxidant capacity of G. elwesii leaves.…”

Systemic Effect of Human Follicular Fluid from Endometriotic and Healthy Subjects on Female Mice

“…Glass tubes were used to segregate clear serum samples before they were put through several biochemical tests. 18…”

Antioxidant, hepatoprotective & nephroprotective potential of a novel synthetic compound 2′, 3′-dihydroxybenzylidene in paracetamol intoxicated rats

“…Numerous herbal extracts are available that are known to have protective activity against liver damage. Extracts of silymarin ( Silybum marianum ) [ 19 ], Zingiber officinale leaves [ 20 ], Skimmia anquetilia [ 21 ] and Ziziphus lotus [ 22 ] have been reported as proven hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and antioxidant agents in a variety of toxicities caused by different xenobiotics in animal models. Centaurium erythraea and Gentianacea were prescribed by ancient physicians for liver and gall bladder illnesses, hepatitis, and pyrexia [ 23 , 24 ].…”