Effects of Echinacea purpurea on Hepatic and Renal Toxicity Induced by Diethylnitrosamine in Rats

Abstract

Background: Nitrites are mainly used in food preservation. These materials could change to nitrosamine due to the effect of heat and gastric acid. Nitrosamine is absorbed in intestine and enters the liver and hepatocytes by portal venous system, and hampers the detoxification system of liver by interfering in cytochrome P450 enzymes, so, the liver gently proceeds to cirrhosis and cancer. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the hepatic and renal protective effects of aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea extract (EPE) on injury induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Materials and Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Groups were as follow: Control group (normal saline), DEN (200 mg/ kg, IP, a single dose), EPE (100 mg/kg, orally, daily) and DEN + EPE which received as group DEN and EPE. After 30 days, Blood samples, and liver and kidney tissues were taken for further examination. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), BUN, Creatinine and total and direct bilirubin were estimated in serum. Results: DEN induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in all the treated animals by elevated serum ALT, AST, ALP and BUN, creatinin and total and direct bilirubin levels. AST, BUN and total and direct bilirubin significantly decreased in DEN + EPE compared to DEN group. After 30 days of DEN administration, histopathological investigation revealed proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and early fibrosis which were partly improved by EPE administration. Conclusions: The current study findings indicated that Echinacea purpurea extract played an important role in the protection against DEN toxicity in rats.

Camel milk inhibits murine hepatic carcinogenesis, initiated by diethylnitrosamine and promoted by phenobarbitone

“…Number of investigations is being carried out to discover natural products that can interrupt the carcinogenesis process [19,20]. DENA was found to elevate the activities of liver specific enzymes AST and ALT and also total bilirubin [21] which however disagreed with the current study in which there was no elevation detected at 34th week. The time elapse between the DENA injection and the serum analysis might be the factor for such insignificance.…”

Protective Effect of Fish Oil and Virgin Olive Oil on Diethylnitrosamine Toxicity in Rats

“…Meanwhile, liver of rat from group injected with DEN group (N2) showed cytoplasmic vacuolization of hepatocytes(Slide 2), foci of clear cells (Slide 3) and karyomegaly of some hepatocytic nuclei (Slide 4 and 5) . However, liver of rat from group silymarin (drug) showed foci of clear cells (Slide 6) and cytoplasm vacuolization of hepatocytes (Slide 7) [57] .Meanwhile, liver of rat from group (N7) showed slight activation of kupffer cells (Slide 8). In addition, liver of rat from groups (N4, N5 and N6) showed no changes with apparent normal hepatocytes (Slide 1).…”

Simultaneous determination and pharmacokinetic study of four phenol compounds in rat plasma by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry after oral administration of Echinacea purpurea extract

“…E. purpurea can improve the body's immunity, the active components of it to enhance immune system activity is by increasing the number of white blood cell cycle, stimulating T-cells and cytokines production, lymphocyte activity, cell respiration, inhibiting the secretion of hyaluronic acid, and some other pathway [8]. It is also useful for the treatment of patients infected with HIV, especially in some African Liquid Chromatography 1629 countries [9].…”