Hepato- and neuro-protective effects of watermelon juice on acute ethanol-induced oxidative stress in rats

Abstract

Chronic and acute alcohol exposure has been extensively reported to cause oxidative stress in hepatic and extra-hepatic tissues. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is known to possess various beneficial properties including; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcerogenic effects. However, there is a lack of pertinent information on its importance in acute alcohol-induced hepato- and neuro-toxicity. The present study evaluated the potential protective effects of watermelon juice on ethanol-induced oxidative stress in the liver and brain of male Wistar rats. Rats were pre-treated with the watermelon juice at a dose of 4 ml/kg body weight for a period of fifteen days prior to a single dose of ethanol (50%; 12 ml/kg body weight). Ethanol treatment reduced body weight gain and significantly altered antioxidant status in the liver and brain. This is evidenced by the significant elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration; depletion in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and an increased catalase (CAT) activity in the brain and liver. There was no significant difference in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the liver and brain.Oral administration of watermelon juice for fifteen (15) days prior to ethanol intoxication, significantly reduced the concentration of MDA in the liver and brain of rats. In addition, water melon pre-treatment increased the concentration of GSH and normalized catalase activity in both tissues in comparison to the ethanol control group. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenol, alkaloids, saponins, tannins and steroids in watermelon juice. Our findings indicate that watermelon juice demonstrate anti-oxidative effects in ethanol-induced oxidation in the liver and brain of rats; which could be associated with the plethora of antioxidant phyto-constituents present there-in.

Ameliorative Efficacy of Phytochemical Content of Corchorus olitorius Leaves against Acute Ethanol-induced Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats

“…The significant increase observed in the activity of LDH might be suggestive of the beginning of cytolysis, which is a possible indication of membrane damage including the endothelial membranes of blood vessels. This disruption of endothelial membrane, directly or indirectly, as reported earlier, includes the generation of reactive oxygen species in endothelial cells [46]. Free radicals attack unsaturated fatty acids in the membranes resulting in membrane lipid peroxidation which decreases membrane fluidity, leakage of enzyme and loss of receptor activity as well as damage membrane proteins leading to cell inactivation [29].…”

The Role of Dietary Antioxidants in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Their Impact on Cerebral Oxidoreductive Balance

“…Apart from the same, the mentioned fruit also contain a number of other substances with known antioxidative properties: vitamins C and E, β-carotene, selenium, and anthocyanins [132,153]. Moreover, red-flesh watermelons also contain lycopene, as well as saponins and tannins [143]. A study by Oyenihi et al [143] was conducted on rats receiving watermelon juice to balance the prooxidative effects of ethanol and revealed an improvement in cerebral antioxidative parameters (↓ MDA, ↑ GSH) as well as normalization of CAT activity.…”

“…Moreover, red-flesh watermelons also contain lycopene, as well as saponins and tannins [143]. A study by Oyenihi et al [143] was conducted on rats receiving watermelon juice to balance the prooxidative effects of ethanol and revealed an improvement in cerebral antioxidative parameters (↓ MDA, ↑ GSH) as well as normalization of CAT activity. In the cited experiment, the CAT level increased rapidly in the brains of rats exposed to ethanol, which may indicate a cellular attempt to functionally adapt to the conditions of strong oxidative stress.…”

Identification of the Therapeutic Effects of Gamma-Irradiated Chamomile Aqueous Extract Against Alcohol Induced Hepato-nephrotoxicity in Rats

“…Worldwide, acute or chronic alcohol beverages abuse induced a major health problem and can result into several metabolic disorders in hepatic and extra-hepatic diseases (Oyenihi et al, 2016). Over production of free radicals and cellular damage resulting from excessive alcohol consumption increases the formation of oxidative stress biomarkers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), diminished antioxidant enzyme activities and decreases the glutathione level (Oyenihi et al, 2016).…”

“…Over production of free radicals and cellular damage resulting from excessive alcohol consumption increases the formation of oxidative stress biomarkers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), diminished antioxidant enzyme activities and decreases the glutathione level (Oyenihi et al, 2016). Due to its water and fat soluble properties, ethanol has the ability to permeate all tissues and affect almost all organs of the body,such as liver and kidney (Mani et al, 2016).…”