The effect of black mulberry (Morus nigra) extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage

Abstract

In this study, the effect of Morus nigra (M. nigra) on carbon tetrachloride (CCI 4)-induced hepatic injury in the rat was investigated. A hepatotoxic rat model was developed by the injection of CCI 4 dissolved in soybean oil (1 mL/kg/twice a week, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection). Following the formation of hepatic injury, extracts of M. nigra at doses ranging from 150 to 300 mg/kg were administered to rats by i.p. injection for eight weeks. At the end of administration, rat livers were excised by dissection. The activities of liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were detected in the serum, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), were established in the liver. Histological changes and immunohistochemical localization of caspase-3 and 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OhdG) were performed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining of liver sections and caspase-3 and 8-OhdG immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that the M. nigra extract prevented protein oxidation generated by CCI 4. The extracts demonstrated the ability to modulate the activity of SOD and GPx, and also prevented the CCI 4-induced increase in AST and GGT levels. These results indicate that M. nigra extracts provided significant protection against CCl 4-induced hepatic injury and might also present a novel approach for the treatment of some liver diseases.

Pharmacological Properties of Morus nigra L. (Black Mulberry) as A Promising Nutraceutical Resource

“…Hepatoprotective activity of M. nigra fruits in carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 , a well-known potent hepatotoxin)-treated HepG2 cells [ 67 ] and adult male Sprague-Dawley rats [ 68 ] have been reported. Extracts of M. nigra fruits dose-dependently and significantly reduced levels of hepatic enzymes AST, ALT and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) compared to control (CCl 4 -treated group).…”

“…Extracts of M. nigra fruits dose-dependently and significantly reduced levels of hepatic enzymes AST, ALT and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) compared to control (CCl 4 -treated group). At the same time, they significantly increased SOD and gluatathione peroxidase (GPx) enzymatic capacities and decreased expression levels and activities hepatic capsase-3 (a biomarker for cell apoptosis) and 8-oxo-2’-deoxyguanosine (a biomarker for oxidative stress) in rat liver tissues, indicating that the hepatoprotective effect of M. nigra fruits might be closely associated with its antioxidant activity [ 67 , 68 ].…”

Protective Effect of Morus Nigra Leaf Extract on Diazinon-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

“…4 Deniz et al proved that Morus nigra protects the liver against carbon tetrachloride and it can serve as a novel approach for treating various hepatic problems. 21 Agha et al suggested that mulberry juice is rich in antioxidants and it can protect against hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride. 22 Free radical scavenging activity is attributed to the flavonoids mainly quercetin and isoquercitrin found in black mulberry.…”

Plants of the Spontaneous Flora with Beneficial Action in the Management of Diabetes, Hepatic Disorders, and Cardiovascular Disease

“…Moreover, the extracts counteracted the CCI 4 -induced rise in AST and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels. Finally, leaf extracts offered substantial protection from CCl 4 -induced hepatic injury, and it was suggested that they might also represent a novel approach for treating hepatic diseases [ 111 ].…”