Hepatoprotective Effects of Berberis vulgaris L. Extract/β Cyclodextrin on Carbon Tetrachloride–Induced Acute Toxicity in Mice

Abstract

The present study investigated the capacity of formulated Berberis vulgaris extract/β-cyclodextrin to protect liver against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Formulated and non-formulated extracts were given orally (50 mg/kg/day) to mice for 7 days and were then intra-peritoneally injected with 1.0 mL/kg CCl4 on the 8th day. After 24 h of CCl4 administration, an increase in the levels of apartate-amino-transferase (AST), alanine-amino-transferase (ALT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was found and a significant decrease in superoxide-dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione-peroxidase (GPx) levels could be detected. This was accompanied by extended centrilobular necrosis, steatosis, fibrosis and an altered ultrastructure of hepatocytes. Pre-treatment with formulated or non-formulated extract suppressed the increase in ALT, AST and MDA levels and restored the level of antioxidant enzymes at normal values. Histopathological and electron-microscopic examination showed milder liver damage in both pre-treated groups and the protective effect was more pronounced after the formulated extract was administered. Internucleosomal DNA fragmentation induced by CCl4 was reduced in the group which received non-formulated extract and absent in the group which received formulated extract. Taken together, our results suggest that Berberis vulgaris/β-cyclodextrin treatment prevents hepatic injury induced by CCl4 and can be considered for further nutraceutical studies.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.) seed oil

“…Consequently, hepatocyte vacuolization could be due to lipid accumulation that was detected ultrastructurally as large lipid droplets buildup in these cells. Several studies have reported hepatic centrilobular steatosis and necrosis after exposure to CCl 4 [21,57].…”

“…was chosen according to previous experiments with different seed oils [8,9,20], as well as the toxicant (CCl 4 ) dose of 1.0 ml/kg b.w. in 50% olive oil [21].…”

Nephroprotective Effects of Berberis Vulgaris L. Total Extract on Lead Acetate-induced Toxicity in Mice

“…The B. vulgaris-aqueous extract doses were chosen according to previous studies on the plant or on its main constituent (berberine), and on the basis of acute toxicity study of the plant [11][12] . After 42 days, the animals were given rest overnight, and then on the next day they were sacrificed by cervical dislocation under light ether anesthesia.…”

Evaluation of host–guest system to enhance the tamoxifen efficiency

“…(Del Valle 2004). It was confirmed that hepatoprotective effects of some compounds have been increased when they formulated with CD, because CD could improve the performance of compounds in terms of efficacy, solubility, and bioavailability (Hermenean et al 2012). According to effect of CD on TMX sustained release, for the first time we decided to simply evaluate about the protective effect of CD on hepatotoxicity of TMX.…”