Berberis vulgaris extract/β-cyclodextrin complex increases protection of hepatic cells via suppression of apoptosis and lipogenesis pathways

Abstract

Berberis vulgaris (Bv) is well known worldwide for its healing properties. However, limited information is available concerning its mechanism of action and the increased hepatoprotective activity of formulated extracts. This study evaluated the protective effect of Bv bark extract against CCl4-induced cytotoxicity in Huh7 cells, as well whether β-cyclodextrin complexation of the extract resulted in increased hepatoprotective effects. Huh7 cells were incubated for 48 h with 5, 7.5 and 10 µg/ml of unformulated or formulated Bv extract alone and in co-treatment with CCl4. The effects on Huh7 cell growth and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT assay, caspase-3/7 activity and caspase-3 expression, whereas fatty acid changes were investigated by Oil red O staining and the detection of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) expression using immunofluorescence. Ultrastructural alterations were observed by electron microscopy. The MTT assay showed that co-exposure to CCl4 and 7.5 µg/ml formulated extract led to a 1.25-fold increase in cell viability compared with the non-formulated extract. Caspase-3/7 activity decreased by 50% and 70% following co-treatment with unformulated or formulated extract, compared with that in cells treated with CCl4 alone. Furthermore, hepatocyte ultrastructure was protected from CCl4-induced injury in the two co-treated groups, intracytoplasmic lipid accumulation decreased significantly and PPARγ expression was restored, in comparison with CCl4-treated cells alone. Formulated and unformulated extracts were efficient against the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic actions of CCl4 through suppression of CCl4-induced caspase-3 activation and lipid accumulation. The protective effect of the formulated extract was more pronounced than that of the unformulated one, which may be due to its increased solubility.

Crocin attenuates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis via PPAR-γ mediated modulation of inflammation and fibrogenesis in rats

“…32 CCl 4 -induced apoptotic cell death is said to be mediated through the activation of caspase-3/7. 33 In our study, crocin administration ameliorated the CCl 4 -induced liver cells apoptosis by inhibiting the caspase-3/7-dependent apoptotic signalling pathway. Similarly, Sun et al have suggested the role of crocin in reducing cisplatin-induced liver injury via inhibiting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and caspase-3 activity.…”

Palmitate-Induced Cardiac Lipotoxicity Is Relieved by the Redox-Active Motif of SELENOT through Improving Mitochondrial Function and Regulating Metabolic State

“…The enzyme activity was evaluated spectrophotometrically using Multiskan™ SkyHigh (Thermo Fisher Scientific), following the method of McQueen (1972) [ 22 ]. The reaction velocity was determined by a decrease in absorbance at 340 nm resulting from the oxidation of NADH (indicative of LDH activity) that was expressed in IU/L [ 24 ].…”

Acetone extracts of Berberis vulgaris and Cornus mas L. induce apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

“…In a study examining the antioxidant properties of B. vulgaris and its cytotoxic effect on human breast cancer cells, it was shown that B. vulgaris has strong antioxidant properties and cytotoxic effects that can induce apoptosis [ 40 ]. In another study examining the apoptotic pathways of B. vulgaris extract in hepatic cells, antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects were evident upon suppressing caspase-3 activation and lipid accumulation [ 48 ]. In another study, B. vulgaris exhibited potent anticancer activities with the induction of apoptosis in esophageal carcinoma cells [ 49 ].…”