Effects of Urtica dioica on oxidative stress, proliferation and apoptosis after partial hepatectomy in rats

Abstract

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of Urtica dioica (UD) on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats. A total of 24 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: sham-operated, PH and PH + UD; each group contains eight animals. The rats in UD-treated groups were given UD oils (2 ml/kg/day) once a day orally for 7 days starting 3 days prior to hepatectomy operation. At day 7 after resection, liver samples were collected. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) were estimated in liver homogenates. Moreover, histopathological examination, mitotic index (MI), proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling, proliferation index (PI), transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling assay, apoptotic index (AI) were evaluated at day 7 after hepatectomy. As a result, UD significantly increased MI and PI, significantly decreased AI and also attenuated hepatic vacuolar degeneration and sinusoidal congestion in PH rats. UD treatment significantly decreased the elevated tissue MDA level and increased the reduced SOD activity and GSH level in the tissues. These results suggest that UD pretreatment was beneficial for rat liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.

Lactulose accelerates liver regeneration in rats by inducing hydrogen

“…Oxidative stress, involving reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzymes, which arises during intraoperative and postoperative process, is an important adverse factor for liver regeneration [2,3]. Reducing reactive oxygen species production and preventing oxidative stress in the remnant liver are regarded as important methods to accelerate liver regeneration [4,5].…”

Evidence Based Phytopharmacological Potential of Herbal Extracts in Post-Ingestion Management of Mycotoxins in Animal Models

“…In these studies, treatment of animals with Urtica dioica significantly reduced superoxide dismutase levels, and elevated the reduced levels of malonyldialdehyde and lowered glutathione levels. Urtica dioica (2 ml/kg) has demonstrated that it has potential in regeneration of the liver following partial hepatectomy in rat model when administered orally for seven days [70]. It was able to reduce the highly elevated levels of malonyl dialdehyde after partial hepatectomy.…”

“…Hence, Urtica dioica has potential in the regeneration of the liver after liver damage caused by oxidative stress, proliferation and apoptosis after partial hepatectomy [70]. An oral dose of Urtica dioica (450 mg/kg) has also proven to be hepatoprotective and immunoprotective in mice exposed to 250 and 500 mg/kg acetaminophen poisoning administered IP [39].…”

“…Glutathione has many beneficial effects such as in the protection against UV [109], heavy metals [110]. Glutathione has a significant role in reactive oxygen species damage to cells in organisms and protects against tissue damage [70]. Yeasts have now been adopted for the massive commercial production of glutathione [111].…”

The effects of quercetin on liver regeneration after liver resection in rats

“…Reducing reactive oxygen species production and preventing oxidative stress in the remnant liver are regarded as important methods to accelerate liver regeneration [14,40].…”