Hepatoprotective Effects of (−) Epicatechin in CCl4-Induced Toxicity Model Are Mediated via Modulation of Oxidative Stress Markers in Rats

Abstract

Objective. (−) Epicatechin (EP) is a naturally occurring antioxidant flavonoid found in some green plants. The current study was designed to evaluate the potential role of antioxidant mechanisms in the hepatoprotective properties of EP using the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury model. Materials and Methods. Rats (n = 7 per group) were divided into five groups including control group, (−) epicatechin group (20 mg·kg−1 body weight), CCl4 group (1 mL−1 body weight), CCl4-EP treatment group, and CCl4-silymarin (SILY) group. The levels of enzymes including hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histological studies were performed on all groups to assess the regenerative effects of test sample and compare it with the control group. Results. Test compound EP and standard drug silymarin (SILY) considerably reduced liver function enzyme levels in the blood, which were raised by CCl4 administration, and increased serum albumin and total protein (TP) concentrations. The hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) level was considerably declined, whereas glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) levels were upregulated in the EC-treated groups. The hepatoprotective results of the study were further confirmed via the histological assessments, which indicated a regeneration of the damaged hepatic tissue in treated rats. Conclusions. The results of this study revealed a significant protective efficacy of EP against CCl4-induced liver injury, which was potentially mediated via upregulation of antioxidant enzymes and direct scavenging effects of the compound against free radicals.

Effectiveness of food concentrate phenolic compounds of apples in experimental membrane pathologies

“…Quercetin also normalized prooxidant-antioxidant status and reduced serum markers of liver damage (Huang et al, 2018;Liu et al, 2020). Epicatechin (Alkinani et al, 2021) and anthocyanins (Popović et al, 2019) had significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective efficacy.…”

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“…Similar results are well documented in recent reports. 7, During lipid peroxidation, cellular antioxidant and detoxification systems including SOD, GPX, and GST are intrinsically activated to counter lipid peroxidation. However, CCl3 and CCl2 radicals are capable of binding and inhibiting these antioxidants.…”

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“…Similarly, Alkinani et al [68] evidenced the hepatoprotective activity of epicatechin (20 mg/kg) for 3 weeks in (CCl 4 )-induced acute liver injury model in Wistar rats, restoring the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase compared to those found in control animals (without treatment). The regulation of antioxidant enzymes and the direct scavenging of free radicals by the compound itself collectively contribute to the mitigation of oxidative stress, a key factor in the pathogenesis of liver damage.…”