Hypothetical mode of action of earthworm extract with hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties

Abstract

Abstract:The hepatoprotective potential of earthworm extract (EE) (Lampito mauritii, Kinberg) was evaluated against paracetamol-induced liver injury in Wistar albino rat, in comparison with silymarin, the standard hepatoprotective drug. We observed a reduction in liver antioxidants, such as glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) and in serum total protein, and an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum aspertate aminotranferase (AST), serum alanine aminotranferase (ALT), bilirubin and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) due to liver injury in the paracetamol-administered rats (2 g/kg). On the contrary, increased activities of liver GSH, SOD, GPx, CAT and serum total protein level, and decrease in the contents of serum ALP, AST, ALT, bilirubin and liver TBARS were observed in rats administered with different doses of EE (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg), which are similar to the activities of hepatoprotective drug silymarin (150 mg/kg). The mode of action of EE as evidenced by the above parameters may suggest that EE, on the one hand, prevents the formation of the reactive oxygen groups, or scavenges these groups, thereby preventing the damage on the hepatic cells, and, on the other hand, modulates the genes responsible for synthesis of antioxidant enzymes such as GPx, CAT and SOD in liver tissue and decreases the serum enzymatic activities such as ALP, AST and ALT.

Effects of animal liver and bile extracts on biochemical values of rat ethanol‐induced fatty liver

“…Balamurugan et al . () indicated the AST values of liver injured rats. The elevated levels of AST were known to illustrate liver damage, and AST entered into the circulatory system because of altered membrane permeability (Will et al .…”

Hepatoprotective effects of lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.): A combination of antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activities

“…CCl 4 has long been reported as a hepatotoxin and is commonly used as a model to evaluate hepatotoxicity-induced liver damage (Danni et al, 1986;Chandan et al, 1991;Balamurugan et al, 2008;Adesanoye and Farombi, 2009;Girish et al, 2009;Olaleye et al, 2010). At a suitable dose, CCl 4 causes extensive necrosis in the liver centrilobular regions around the central veins (Ito et al, 1982;Gores et al, 1990).…”

Dilong: Role in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

“…The anti-inflammatory activity together with anti-oxidant properties may be due to the high polyphenolic content in dilong tissue [42]. Moreover, crude dilong extract has a thrombolytic effect that could significantly promote blood circulation and remove stasis [43].…”