Evaluation of the antioxidant effects of <i>Ziziphus mauritiana</i> lam. leaf extracts against chronic ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rat liver

Abstract

Chronic alcohol ingestion is known to increase the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby leading to liver damage. Antioxidant enzymes act individually or in combination to reduce or counter the effect of these ROS. Chronic administration of alcohol at (40% v/v, 1ml/100g), for 6 weeks showed a significant (p<0.05) elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (TB). There was also a significant (p<0.05) decreased levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase compared to control rats. Pretreatment of rats with 200, 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous leaf extract of Ziziphus mauritiana or 100 mg/kg silymarin resulted in a significant (p<0.05) decreased levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and TB with levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase showing a significant (p<0.05) increase compared to group administered alcohol only. Histopathology of rat liver administered with alcohol only resulted in severe necrosis, mononuclear cell aggregation and fatty degeneration in the central and mid zonal areas which was a characteristic of a damaged liver. Pre-treatment with the aqueous extract of Ziziphus mauritiana or silymarin reduced the morphological changes that are associated with chronic alcohol administration. The presence of tannins, saponins and phenolic compounds observed in the plant extract could be responsible for the observed effects of decreasing the levels of injured tissue marker and lipid peroxidation.

Combination Therapy with Taurine, Epigallocatechin Gallate and Genistein for Protection against Hepatic Fibrosis Induced by Alcohol in Rats

“…27) In addition, the soluble enzyme AST is released when injury involves organelles such as mitochondria. 28) As a result, the establishment of liver fibrosis in this study caused both plasma membrane and organelle membrane damage. On administering colchicines and the combination drugs, we have observed decreased levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP and GGT.…”

Effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of <i>Ziziphus spina-christi</i> against scopolamine-induced anxiety in rats

“…The effects of Z. spina-christi extract on the nervous system such as analgesic and anti-depressant activities have also been reported in previous studies (Adzu et al, 2003, Dahiru andObidoa, 2008). There was no study on the anxiolytic activity of Z. spina-christi.…”

“…, anti-oxidant (Dahiru and Obidoa, 2008), anti-allergic (Naika et al, 2013), antiinflammatory (Cardozoa et al, 2011) and anti-influenza activity (Hong et al, 2015). The effects of Z. spina-christi extract on the nervous system such as analgesic and anti-depressant activities have also been reported in previous studies (Adzu et al, 2003, Dahiru andObidoa, 2008).…”

Polygonum amplexicaule Extract: An Effective Herbal Cure to CCl4 Induced Liver Damage In Vivo

“…ALP is present in hepatocytes plasma membrane and elevation in ALP level is related directly to the damage in liver cell membrane [28,29]. Elevated level of ALP in toxic condition and reduced level in case of treatment with drug and extracts of P. amplexicaule is shown.…”