Effects of catechin-rich oil palm leaf extract on normal and hypertensive rats’ kidney and liver

Abstract

Catechin-rich oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) leaf extract (OPLE) possesses good ex vivo vasodilation, antioxidant and cardiovascular properties. This study evaluated the beneficial or toxic effects of OPLE on the liver and kidneys of normal and hypertensive rats. The OPLE (500mg/kg body weight) were administered orally to normal Wistar Kyoto rats, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and N-ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)-induced NO-deficient hypertensive rats. The OPLE reduced hypertension in NO-deficient rats, but not in SHR. Hepatocytes or glomeruli injury and oxidative markers were high in hypertensive rats compared to normal rats, and they were reduced (p<0.05) by OPLE supplementation, even when there was no blood pressure reduction. Unlike the hypertensive drug captopril, the OPLE showed no toxicity to normal rats. The dose reported is equivalent 0.5g of catechins/day for humans or 2.5cups of tea. The catechins are from an abundant alternative source for potential use as functional food.

Protective Effects of Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and/or Red Palm Oil (Elaeis guineensis) Supplementation ontert-Butyl Hydroperoxide-Induced Oxidative Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

“…Histopathological examination of livers from t -BHP-treated rats whose diet was supplemented with rooibos and RPO revealed enhanced hepatocellular architecture with slight lymphocyte infiltration, which is a clear manifestation of the hepatoprotective effects of rooibos and RPO. This result is consistent with previous findings that have been reported in different experimental models of rats exposed to other toxicants where rooibos or RPO have been supplemented [72, 74, 92–95]. …”

Protective Effects of Rooibos (Aspalathus Linearis) and/or Red Palm Oil (Elaeis Guineensis) Supplementation on Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide-Induced Oxidative Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

“…Histopathological examination of livers from t-BHP-treated rats whose diet was supplemented with rooibos and RPO revealed enhanced hepatocellular architecture with slight lymphocyte infiltration, which is a clear manifestation of the hepatoprotective effects of rooibos and RPO. This result is consistent with previous findings that have been reported in different experimental models of rats exposed to other toxicants where rooibos or RPO have been supplemented [72,74,[92][93][94][95].…”

Chronic Administration of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Leaves Extract Attenuates Hyperglycaemic-Induced Oxidative Stress and Improves Renal Histopathology and Function in Experimental Diabetes

“…OPLE is rich in catechins [27, 28], and these polyphenolic compounds are considered to have antioxidant capacity that is several folds higher than that of vitamins C and E [28]. The results of this study provide evidence that OPLE treatment introduced 72 h after diabetes induction and maintained for 4 and 12 weeks, prevented the diabetes-induced renal dysfunction as well as kidney structural injury in diabetic rat.…”